Alex Mills is the latest candidate to hear the dreaded words "You're fired!" from Lord Sugar, on the BAFTA-winning BBC show, The Apprentice. HELLO! Online chats to the 22-year old about why Lord Sugar eliminated him, who he thinks will win, and how he grooms his "spidery" eyebrows.
How did you find your experience on the show? "It was very good, I felt very fortunate being on the show. I'd have liked to be on it for longer, but these things happen. I was quite pleased with my performance throughout. As much as it is a shame to not go all the way when you feel like you have the potential, Lord Sugar did think I have the potential just not the experience."
How did you feel leaving the show? "It was a bit of a disappointment to leave and a little bit of a shock, but I totally agreed with what Lord Sugar said when he fired me. He provided a very concise and fair reason as to why I was the one going. He said he felt I was a little bit too young to be his business partner at this time, but that I was a very enthusiastic individual who is bound to succeed in life and someone who should be admired. However, he felt I just didn't have enough experience and was a little bit wet behind the ears as such. I just took it on the chin and have to move forward." What was Lord Sugar like to work with? "What you see is what you get, with him. We only saw him in his business environment. We didn't go down to the pub or anything, so really what you see is what you get."
Why did you choose Myles and Leah to go back into the boardroom with you? "Originally I just chose Myles, and said it was all his fault and mine for listening to him. But then I had to bring Leah in too —she shouldn't have been in there though. I was only going to bring back Myles in. She just came along for the ride."
Who do you think is going to go next? "I don't honestly know, but I do want Neil or Francesca to win. Neil has clearly demonstrated he has very good skills at selling and business management and people management, so I think he has a lot of potential. Although Francesca was a little bit reserved at first, I think she's starting to display her accolades well."
What was it like living in The Apprentice house? "It was great fun —I absolutely loved it. I bonded really well with Myles, Francesca and Neil. We all made sure we had a good time and a good laugh. There were a couple of jokes about my eyebrows, but there we go."
There's been a lot of jokes about your well-groomed eyebrows. Are you a bit sick of the comments now? "No, not at all. As long as they happen to fascinate people, I'm more than happy for people to be fascinated by them. I just go to the salon every few weeks, pay £7 and get these little bad boys. I just have them trimmed and waxed because the ends get a little spidery. I have tried threading, but it just doesn't work for me. It was just rubbish."
How was it playing Herbert the bad date in the recent episode? "It was great —it clearly worked. Herbert the pervert, it was an experience. I think I pulled it off alright. I'm usually quite a good date so it was a bit hard at first, but I was able to fight it."
What are your plans now? "I have my own legal company so I'm trying to build that up now. That's what I'm focusing on."
