Who is Dillon St Paul? The Apprentice 2016 candidate and Jessica Cunningham’s BFF who’s spoken out about his brain tumour
He stirred up controversy and survived a brain tumour
WE knew Dillon St Paul would bring some drama to The Apprentice in 2016 after he admitted he likes to manipulate people and described himself as "famous for the truth bomb".
But after a controversial appearance on the BBC show the art director from Ireland underwent a more personal drama of his own when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Here's what we know about Dillon St Paul.
Who is Dillon St Paul and where does he come from?
Dillon was born October 16, 1979 (making him a Libra).
He comes from Castletroy, a suburb of Limerick in Ireland.
Dillon was a student at Milford National School and Ardscoil Ris. He went on to study graphic design at Limerick School of Art and Design before finding work at a web design agency.
What's on Dillon's CV?
, Dillon has 15 years of experience in the publishing industry.
He's worked as a designer and art director for top glossies in Dublin, London and Sydney, including STELLAR, KISS, Girlfriend!, Irish Tatler and Gaytimes, and as an illustrator for beauty brands L’Oreal, Chanel and Maybelline.
I am famous for the truth bomb. I am all about saying it as it is. I don’t mess about, I don’t get too emotional with it. If it hurts I’m sorry, but that’s a fact
Dillon St Paul
'Machiavellian' man
Before appearing on The Apprentice in 2016, Dillon admitted he would tell white lies if he needed to – and expected to take a "Machiavellian" approach to the tasks. In other words, he's a schemer.
Speaking to the BBC cameras before the show’s launch, he said: “I do think I can charm people, and I can charm and manipulate situations to get results.
“I’m quite Machiavellian, so sometimes batting the lashes can get you a lot in business as well. Hence the mascara comes in handy.";
He added: “I am famous for the truth bomb. I am all about saying it as it is. I don’t mess about, I don’t get too emotional with it.
“If it hurts I’m sorry, but that’s a fact. Facts are facts, it’s a science. There’s nowhere to hide with me, with regards to business.
“If people are gonna try something unscrupulous, or something that isn’t 100 per cent your all, and you’re not being efficient as part of a team or doing your job properly, I will call you out on it.
“I would say I’m very clean, groomed, stylish and glamorous.
“I think I understand girls. All my friends are girls. All the people I work with are girls. My life is girl-centric. So girl power.”
Why was Dillon accused of racism?
Viewers of The Apprentice accused Dillon of 'racism' after he made a remark about contestant Karthik Nagesan, who is Indian.
During a task that focused on Indian fashion, Karthik suggested he lead because he knew the culture.
After Karthik negotiated with a shopkeeper over the price of a lehenga, a type of skirt, Dillon moaned: “Karthik’s negotiation technique is basically Indian chit chat.
"There was a lot of time wasted at the start. He should have just asked ‘Where is your lehenga? Can I see it?”
Fans slammed his comments on Twitter, calling him "horrendously racist" and wondering: "Indian chit-chat... are you actually allowed to say that?"
Dillon and Karthik appear to be pals, however, and other viewers gushed about their "bromance".
Why did Dillon need to have brain surgery?
In an on February 6 Dillon revealed that he had been rushed to hospital from his work in Dublin after having a seizure.
Describing the experience, he wrote: "my mouth wouldn’t work and the left side of my face felt like it was melting and being pulled to the floor like gooey molasses".
After an MRI scan doctors discovered a low-grade glioma tumour and he immediately underwent emergency brain surgery.
Dillon shared pictures of his scar, including the staples in the side of his head which he described as his “war wound”.
In March he attended the launch party of Britain's Next Top Model and spoke exclusively to The Sun Online about his experience.
He said: “I felt like I had a spiritual experience, I definitely had an experience like that”.
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