The Apprentice winner splits from partner of 11 years as they speak out
THE Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells has split from her fiance fellow boxing coach Michael Harris after 11 years of dating.
The boxing gym owner, 29, who won the BBC1 series last year, is said to be "upset" by the split and has REMOVED her diamond engagement ring.
The blonde BBC1 star told us: "He was my best friend for 11 years and I loved him dearly, whatever happened between us, I wish him happiness."
A pal added: “Marnie has been devastated by the break up, she thought they would be together forever.
“She is getting through the tough time by focusing on work, keeping business and promoting her business. Meanwhile, Michael has stopped working at her gym.”
Marnie is one of the few contestants to have won the series who still works with Lord Alan Sugar.
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Opening up about how Michael popped the question in October 2022 on holiday in Greece Marnie said: "We spent some time cruising around the Mirabello Bay admiring the moment, before anchoring at a small island just off the Greek coast.
“I knew it was about to happen. He took my hand, led me to the front of the boat and as I looked over the edge and into the water I felt him drop to his knee behind me.
"He placed the ring on my finger (albeit the wrong one at first - yes we know!) before I also dropped to my knees and embraced the man I would spend my life with.
"The rest of the day was spent totally and utterly besotted with love, life and each other.
“We swam, drank champagne, ate cake and made memories all before laying silently together as we watched the sun lose its light into the mountains of Sitia. It was as if it was setting just for us."
Marnie's Instagram page is filled with sexy shots of her in fitness and swimwear, but she has hit back at comparisons to Love Island contestants.
She said: I'm so bored of hearing The Apprentice/Love Island comparison. Since when did those two things become mutually exclusive?
"You can be hot, sexy, attractive, care about how you look and be an incredible businesswoman or man! Those two things don't have to be separated.
The Apprentice biggest moments
THE Apprentice has been a fan favourite ever since it burst onto the box in 2005.
Here we take a look at five of the biggest moments over the years on the hit BBC One show.
Tim Campbell - Former London Underground transport manager Tim Campbell won the first series of the reality show in 2005. He is now one of Lord Sugar's aides on the show.
Sarah Lynn and James White - For the first and only time in the show's history, both finalists were crowned winners in 2017.
Amy Anzel - Season 16's fired candidate Amy Anzel was BANNED from the final celebration show, after a tit-for-tat exchange over Lord Sugar’s mocking tweets.
Michelle Dewberry - Telecoms consultant Michelle Dewberry won the second series of the show in 2006. However, after winning a six-figure job with Lord Sugar she lasted just four months before she sensationally quit.
Selena Waterman-Smith - We’re used to tensions running high in the boardroom, but in 2015 a disagreement between two candidates spilled over – for the first time - into a physical bust-up. Events manager Selina Waterman-Smith was given a verbal warning by show bosses for her role in an off-camera scrap with Charleine Wain.
"I think it's a very old school, stuck in the past way of approaching business. Some of the tools and avenues to success social media and social media is all about how you look.
"So how you look is an important tool in business. Of course that would be reflected in how people present themselves.”