‘I’m in The Apprentice final – you’ve totally misinterpreted what happens behind the scenes’-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

Who will be chosen as Lord Sugar’s next business partner? (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)

One of the finalists of The Apprentice 2024 has cleared up a huge misconception about the contestants on the show ahead of the final, revealing what it’s really like behind the scenes.

For almost 20 years, Lord Alan Sugar has overseen countless budding entrepreneurs as they’ve strived to secure his approval on the BBC series, in the hope of either being hired by the business magnate or receiving his hefty £250,000 investment.

Tonight, boutique fitness studio owner Rachel Woolford will be going head-to-head with pie company owner Phil Turner for the top prize, as they each launch their businesses with the help of the fired candidates from their season.

Ahead of the last episode of the series, Metro.co.uk caught up with Rachel, 27, to find out what it was really like to be one of the top two contenders, as well as her possible future TV aspirations.

The entrepreneur, who runs North Studio, revealed that there are many viewers who are under the false impression that when The Apprentice is on TV months after filming, the contestants aren’t working as normal… which of course, isn’t the case.

‘Since I filmed the show, it was just business as normal. We finished filming on the Sunday night in London, and I was back in Leeds on the Monday morning 7am and work,’ she said.

‘I had to pretend it hadn’t happened and just crack on for seven months between filming and transmission.’

Rachel continued: ‘A lot of people have said to me over the last few months, are you still working? And it’s like, course! Just because it’s on TV, doesn’t mean I’m not working. I’ve got my livelihood. It’s my job and my work. Just been working away for the last year.’

When asked whether she thought that this was a big misconception about the show, the fitness enthusiast responded: ‘100%. Some people think whilst the show’s airing, in particular these 12 weeks, we’re just sat around and The Apprentice is on.

‘Don’t get me wrong, it’s a big part of my life at the moment while it’s been on TV, but I also have a business to run, as do a lot of the other candidates. We’re managing a lot.’

Phil and Rachel were ecstatic to find out they were the finalists of the 2024 series (Picture: FreemantleMedia Ltd)

Rachel explained that she manages her business ‘full time’, as well as ensuring her own social media is up to date, and that she’s ‘bigging up’ The Apprentice on social media as well.

She added: ‘We are on the TV, which is great every Thursday, but between the Thursdays, we are all at work and making a living for ourselves. It was never going to be 12 weeks of just sitting and watching the show. I was always going to be at work.’

So now that The Apprentice star has experienced what it’s like to be on primetime TV, would she be interested in doing any more work on the small screen?

‘I’m not against any more television work,’ Rachel answered. ‘I really enjoyed filming The Apprentice. I think once you film something like that, which is so high pressured, unscripted and you get thrown into everything unprepared, I think you can handle a lot.

Rachel is hoping Lord Sugar will want to invest in her boutique fitness studio (Picture: FreemantleMedia Ltd)

‘But my number one priority will always be North Studio,’ she added, referring to her boutique fitness studio.

‘I went on to The Apprentice not to become the next TV star – I came on it to become a businesswoman, a successful businesswoman and alongside Lord Sugar, so although I would love any opportunities that come my way on TV, particularly something like… I’d love to do something more outdoorsy, SAS: Who Dares Wins.

‘I’m not as bothered about the presenting side of things, but I’d love to do some adventurous stuff. As long as it fits with the North Studio brand and what I’m trying to do with that, absolutely. I’d be open to it.’

So what about, perhaps, a stint on Gladiators, particularly now that a celebrity spin-off of the BBC competition is on the way?

‘I don’t stand a chance!’ Rachel predicted. ‘I think those girls are so strong. I think I’d be struck within… and I’m quite strong in the gym, but I think I’d be stuck down in one hit.’

The Apprentice final airs on Thursday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More