The Apprentice star QUITS show ahead of firing

Nobody saw this coming!

Author: Alex RossPublished 13th Jan 2023

We are only into the second week of The Apprentice, but already there's been some major shocks as Lord Alan Sugar looks for his next business partner.

Series 17, which returned to our screens last week, has so far showed the candidates head over to Antigua and take part in a bao bun task here in the UK, but there was a major talking point in last night's (12th January) show.

After taking part in the task, Bridal Boutique owner Shannon Martin made the decision to quit the process before herself and her team were given feedback from Lord Sugar, in which they actually went on to win.

Following her shock exit, Shannon said: "I think that going into the process, I was already having some doubts of whether I should go in or not.

"But when you’re given such an amazing opportunity, you’re not ever going to turn that down, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime that I’m forever grateful for."

"During the bao bun task, I was there in the kitchen thinking 'Why am I here? What am I doing here making bao buns in a kitchen when I can’t cook as it is?' I just really felt like I couldn’t focus on the tasks because I was constantly thinking about what was going on at home.

"What’s happening with the business? Is everything okay? I knew in the back of my mind that of course everything would be okay, the team are amazing. But I’m a perfectionist, I need to know what’s going on all the time and not being able to know how things were going on at home or what was happening at work was really hard for me.

‘The unknown is definitely not something I’m good at. The more I thought about it, the more I thought, 'Am I in here for the right reasons? Do I really want a business partner? Is this what I want? Do I want my life to change?' and it really made me realise I love my life; I love the team and I love everything about my life."

She added: "I knew that I could potentially win the show, and did I really want to win and have my life completely changed? No, I didn’t.

"I wasn’t in there for the right reasons.

"The other candidates are just amazing and there’s so many amazing businesses there that I felt that they deserve to win. I’ve already got a very successful business."

Check out all of The Apprentice candidates below:

Marnie Swindells - WINNER

From: London
Occupation: Court Advocate

Rochelle Anthony - FINALIST

From: Bedfordshire
Occupation: Owner, Hair Salon & Academy

Megan Hornby - FIRED

From: East Yorkshire
Occupation: Owner, Sweet Shop and Cafe

Victoria Goulbourne - FIRED

From: Merseyside
Occupation: Owner, Online Sweet Business

Dani Donovan - FIRED

From: Hertfordshire
Occupation: Owner, Hair Salon

Simba Rwambiwa - FIRED

From: Birmingham
Occupation: Senior Sales Representative

Avi Sharma - FIRED

From: London
Occupation: City Banker

Bradley Johnson - FIRED

From: North Yorkshire
Occupation: Director, Construction Company

Mark Moseley - FIRED

From: London
Occupation: Owner, Pest Control Company

Sohail Chowdhary - FIRED

From: Southampton
Occupation: Owner, Martial Arts School

Reece Donnelly - QUIT

From: Glasgow
Occupation: Owner, Theatre School

Joe Phillips - FIRED

From: Worcestershire
Occupation: Safari Guide, South Africa

Shazia Hussain - FIRED

From: London
Occupation: Technology Recruiter

Denisha Kaur Bharj - FIRED

From: Leicestershire
Occupation: Financial Controller

Gregory Ebbs - FIRED

From: Shropshire
Occupation: Owner, Online Antiques Marketplace

Shannon Martin - QUIT

From: West Yorkshire
Occupation: Owner, Bridal Boutique

Kevin D’Arcy - FIRED

From: Dublin
Occupation: Accountant

Emma Browne - FIRED

From: County Kildare
Occupation: Senior Account Executive

Despite Shannon leaving the show, due to the boys' team losing the bao bun task, it was them who faced the dreaded grilling by Lord Sugar, and his aides Karren Brady and Tom Campbell.

After a tough deliberation, Kevin D'Arcy was the latest candidate to be fired.

The Apprentice continues every Thursday night on BBC One.

Now read:

Your ultimate guide to The Apprentice

The Apprentice winners: Where are they now?

A brand new series of The Traitors is landing on BBC this week

How to listen to MFR:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into MFR on FM and DAB across the North of Scotland, online, on our app, or say ‘Play MFR’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.