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Watch The Apprentice’s most explosive boardroom showdowns from shock quitting to contestant who lashed out at Nick Hewer
With just hours until the BBC business programme returns, The Sun has compiled a definitive rundown
THE APPRENTICE has had its fair share of explosive boardroom showdowns since launching in 2005.
From a shock quitter to one contestant who lashed out at Nick Hewer, Lord Sugar has seen it all over the years.
And with just hours until the BBC business programme returns for its 18th series, The Sun has compiled a rundown of the show's most shocking moments.
Lord Sugar steps in to defend Nick Hewer
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Head honcho Lord Sugar was forced to stick up for his adviser Nick when contestant Debra Barr went to town on him in 2009.
Buckinghamshire-born Debra locked horns with trainee stockbroker Ben Clarke over her contribution to the task during the annual treasure hunt task.
But it was when Nick reminded her, "It's closing the deal that matters," she hit back, arguing: "You can't turn round and say to me that the work I did investigating the books didn't end up paying off."
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Eyebrows were raised and Lord Sugar soon put Debra in her place.
He asserted: "Excuse me, you find another way to express yourself. Stop talking to him like he's a second class citizen. Do you understand? You talk to me and get your points over to me.
"Don't talk to him in that manner. Am I clear?"
Tom Skinner puts his head on the block
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Thomas Skinner won over viewers when he stood up to project manager Ryan-Mark Parsons over his decision to bring Pamela Laird back into the boardroom in 2019.
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The pillow salesman argued, "I don't think you should be bringing Pamela back at all."
When Lord Sugar asked if he wanted to take her place, the Essex-native said: "I'm being serious, I won't have it. She should not be coming back into the room. 100 per cent."
Thankfully, Thomas's gamble paid off and he remained in the competition for another week - with Ryan-Mark given the boot.
Katie Hopkins stands down
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Way before The Apprentice winners were granted a £250,000 investment in their business, they were given a job working for Lord Sugar.
But, in 2007, Katie Hopkins turned down the top job when she found herself in the penultimate boardroom showdown with rival contestants Kristina Grimes and Simon Ambrose.
The mother of three admitted that she would have to relocate her family in order to take the position, and she had not yet proposed the idea to her parents, who looked after her children.
Lord Sugar was left furious, telling her: "I haven't got the time!"
Eventually, she condeded, "I don't want to make a fool of you and don't want to make a fool of me. I think it's more important that have the courtesy to get my plans in place first."
Exiting before Lord Sugar could fire her, Katie concluded, "And therefore I suggest I stand down."
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- The Apprentice continues Thursday at 9pm on BBC One.
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