The Apprentice star takes revenge on bank who refused her a loan – now she’s making more than Lord Sugar prize offer
A STAR of The Apprentice has had the last laugh by taking the ultimate revenge on the bank that once turned down her loan - by buying it.
Raj Chohan shot to fame on the most recent series of the hit BBC series earlier this year and previously told fans how she bought the listed building that once was home to the bank that refused to help her with a loan application.
The mum-of-two became known for her direct approach with candidates and Lord Sugar on The Apprentice.
But the mortgage broker was booted from the boardroom, with Sarah Woolford scooping the crown.
However, Raj appears to be the ultimate winner, having landed a major money deal with a national bakery chain.
The Sun can reveal Gails has signed a six-figure deal believed to be worth more than Lord Sugar's investment in the winning candidates company of £250,000.
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Bosses have already moved into the building, located in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire and the store is set to open in just weeks.
A source said: "Ever since Raj announced she had purchased the building - the very same place the bank originally turned down her loan - there has been various interest from large companies.
"Unlike some contestants from The Apprentice, Raj isn't chasing fame and is a businesswoman true and true, plunging herself back into her projects as soon as the cameras stopped rolling.
"She and her husband have both put a lot of hours into restoring the listed building and Gails have been interested in her ever since a brief encounter on The Apprentice.
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"The bakery chain is expanding and have signed a huge money deal with her to lease the building for a major new store that's set to open in a few weeks.
"Details surrounding the deal are being kept under wraps for obvious commercial reasons but Raj definitely has scooped more cash from this deal than the actual winner of Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment so far."
In an honest post to fans, Raj previously said: "Wealth is a slow and long journey. Each set back, we use it to leap forward further. During a really difficult time we needed £20,000 to see ourselves through a tricky patch when we were just about to lose our jobs.
"Refused. We then needed to remortgage off our fixed rate (already on a high rate from a self cert mortgage). We were again refused. Yuvraj and I found our feet. Started new businesses. 24/7 graft!"
The Apprentice winners who have quit
By Conor O'Brien
Since The Apprentice launched in 2005, Lord Alan Sugar has crowned several winners.
In 2011, the prize changed from a job working under Lord Sugar to a £250,000 investment partnership.
While some past winners work with Lord Sugar to this day, other collaborations have long ended.
Here is a look at some of the winners who have quit working with the business giant.
- Tim Campbell: After winning the first series, Tim (who was 26 at the time) secured a position at Lord Sugar's company Amstrad on a £100,000 salary. After two years, Tim left to start a perfume business - although this was later abandoned. Since 2022, he has been back on The Apprentice as one of Lord Sugar's aides.
- Lee McQueen: Having won series four in 2008, 30-year-old Lee McQueen was assigned a position at Amscreen. He left the role after two years in July 2010.
- Yasmina Siadatan: Yasmina, who won The Apprentice in 2009, fell pregnant four months into her £100k-a-year role. She worked for Lord Sugar for 12 months but chose not to return after her maternity leave.
- Stella English: 2010 winner Stella English went on to work for Lord Sugar's Viglen after time on the BBC show. However, she walked out after 13 months of employment when told her contract would not be renewed and claimed she was just an "overpaid lackey".
- Mark Wright: Australian-born Mark won in 2014 and used the £250,000 investment to found digital marketing agency Climb Online. He parted ways with Lord Sugar in 2022, selling the business for an estimated £10million.
- Joseph Valente: Former plumber Joseph won the BBC show in 2015. However, he and Lord Sugar ultimately ended their working relationship after 18 months.
- Alana Spencer: Alana partnered up with Lord Sugar after winning in 2016. She claimed the top spot with her cake business Ridiculously Rich. The pair worked together for three years - until Alana ultimately bought out Lord Sugar.
- James White: In a one-time situation, James was one of two Apprentice winners in 2017. Three years after he won the show, Lord Sugar left the IT recruitment company, but reportedly let him keep the £250,000 investment.
- Sarah Lynn: Sweets delivery businesswoman Sarah was the other joint winner in 2017. She and Lord Sugar parted ways in September 2022.
- Carina Lepore: After winning The Apprentice in 2019, Lord Sugar put a £250,000 investment in Carina Lepore's Dough Artisan Bakehouse business. However, the pair ended their partnership in 2023.