Harrogate’s star of The Apprentice talks about being fired

And so the black cab pulled up to whisk her away with her luggage and hopes of victory. . .

First Lord Sugar’s finger pointed at Dan Callaghan in week one.

Then it pointed at Aisha Kasim in week two.

Next it pointed at Jenny Garbis in week three.

Sadly, perhaps undeservedly, in week four’s episode of The Apprentice, it was the turn of Harrogate’s candidate to go home.

Hopes were high Ruth Whiteley could go the distance in the current series of the popular BBC reality TV show.

But, despite stripping down to her bra and pants in her final task, the 47-year-old sales training consultancy owner found herself in Lord Sugar’s firing line.

Ruth said she had grateful for the support of family and friends in Harrogate during her run in the hit show but mystified by Lord Sugar’s ultimate decision .

“I’m absolutely gutted. Lord Sugar was very black and white with me. To be fired after how well I had done in the tasks was jaw-dropping.”

She now hopes fellow candidate Vanya Koutsomitis will emerge as the winner of this year’s The Apprentice, though she still believes it should have been her.

“I felt I had all the attributes to win. Perhaps Lord Sugar just wanted to shake things up by getting rid of a candidate who looked secure on the show?”

Perhaps, as a self-made true Yorkshirewoman, Ruth was simply too sensible to be tabloid gossip fodder and too straightforward to survive such a hotbed of rivalry?

Ruth talks more to the Harrogate Advertiser online tomorrow. . .