The Apprentice 2016: Natalie Hughes fired by Lord Sugar after disastrous advertising task where nobody won

The Japanese jeans task proved perilous for both teams
Fired: Natalie Hughes is the second casualty of the boardroom in The Apprentice
BBC/Boundless
Ben Travis14 October 2016

Natalie Hughes has become the second candidate to leave the latest series of The Apprentice in an explosive boardroom showdown.

The episode saw Lord Sugar task the teams with creating advertising campaigns for luxury Japanese jeans – and nobody performed well.

In fact, neither team was deemed the winner, with both project managers asked to bring two candidates back into the boardroom for deliberation.

“Normally, in this task, I make the decision as to which of those were the best. Well I tell you what, I am not putting my name to either of those advertising campaigns,” he fumed.

The Apprentice 2016

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“They’re useless, both totally, absolutely useless. I feel so angry that not one of you geniuses came through and ran this thing properly.

“There’s no winner here. It’s never happened before on this particular task.”

Project managers Jessica Cunningham and Mukai Noiri brought Alana Spencer, Natalie Hughes, JD O’Brien and Karthik Nagesan back in to face the boss.

But while Jessica made huge errors in the task – including losing the sample pair of jeans on the first day – it was Natalie who came under fire for ‘being quiet’.

“For a potential business partner of mine, Natalie, you’ve been a bit quiet, you’ve not been pushing yourself forward,” Sugar argued.

“It is regretful that this is only the second week but Natalie, you’re fired.”

Speaking in the taxi, Hughes said: “It’s the name of the game, isn’t it?

“It’s been a pleasure meeting Lord Sugar, but not getting his investment is not going to affect me.”

Next week’s task will see the contestants manufacture and sell a range of sweets that would please Lord Sugar himself.

BBC One, 9pm

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