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The Apprentice star hits out at ‘fame hungry’ accusations and calls show ‘hardest on telly’
Finalist Tré Lowe reveals how tough it is making it onto the show
THE Apprentice hopefuls not only face intense scrutiny from Lord Sugar in the boardroom but they're at the mercy of viewers too.
Each series accusations are levelled at the contestants that some are more interested in fame than landing a huge investment in their business.
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But in the eyes of last year's finalist Tré Lowe, 50, that is pure nonsense.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun on behalf of , he said: "I think it's a silly accusation because if they were, they'd probably try Love Island. You wouldn't go onto the hardest reality business show on TV, you just wouldn't.
"I don't think anyone goes on The Apprentice for fame. The problem is the process is so rigorous that you just wouldn't get through."
Business owner and noughties music star Tré knows all too well the hoops that need to be jumped through to make it onto the show calling it a "serious process".
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Some 50,000 people are said to put themselves forward for the programme each year and yet only 18 are successful - and that's before the main game even begins.
He said: "There are lots of different challenges along the way. Some of them are practical in nature. Some of them are more psychological in nature.
"You need to know your numbers, you need to know your business. You need to be able to answer these questions.
"I think if you've got 50,000 people it gets whittled down to 18. That's serious that is. Not to put down Love Island. I actually love Love Island, I think it's brilliant.
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"I think the prerequisites for Love Island are quite simple. You have a bit of a personality, you have a six pack, you have a nice body and you're kind of good to go.
"Whereas this, they go into looking at your business, they'll go into companies house. They'll go as far as contacting suppliers and all sorts of stuff to really check that what you say you are is what you actually are. It's a rigorous process that I think most people wouldn't be able to go through.
Watch the moment The Apprentice contestant makes shock return to show - a year after being fired
"That's why I have so much respect and admiration for anybody who gets on the show. Whether they go out in the first round or they win the final album, so much respect for them."
Inevitably, the contestants receive a huge attention boost from their association with the show, picking up lots more followers online and media bookings.
But in a world where followers are currency, Tré believes it's only natural that the contestants would seek to raise their personal profiles.
He said: "I think you can never get away from fame stuff because people do need the oxygen of attention," said Tré. "I don't think there's any entrepreneur that would say no to attention, why would you not? Especially now when a lot of entrepreneurs are known for their personality."
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As for his own experience, Tré credits the exposure the programme gave him with helping him launch and grow his Sobo Club company, which puts on events for entrepreneurs.
"I am shocked by how much The Apprentice has helped stuff that I'm doing," he said. "It's been amazing.
"We were lucky enough to have Tim Campbell come and do a talk with us. We've had Linda Plant come and do a talk with us. It's just been great, building this entrepreneurial community where everyone supports and nurtures each other."
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.
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