The Apprentice fired candidate Rick Monk interview: 'The show is less professional without me'

The latest hopeful to be eliminated from the BBC series speak out after their dramatic firing

(BBC)

The next candidate to be fired from The Apprentice has quite a bit to say about the dramatic way they left the boardroom in tonight's episode.

For the fifth task, the candidates attempted to create their own footwear brand. Ultimately, it was 33-year-old Rick Monk who got the boot after almost escaping unscathed. Lord Sugar, unhappy with Jackie’s decision to bring back Kayode, called the entire losing team back into the boardroom before eventually settling on Rick to be fired.

The quality controller tells us how he feels about the biggest twist yet, how it feels being “thrown under the bus” by Kurran and why he thinks his departure could be a death knell for this series.

Your departure came at the climax of a rather dramatic boardroom showdown. Was it a shock to be fired?

I wasn't expecting it - I don’t think anyone was expecting me to leave, to be honest - but we are in there for ourselves. It’s definitely dog eat dog among the candidates when we’re in the boardroom. I totally blame Kurran for throwing me under the bus, however, I’d have done the same thing in his shoes. My biggest downfall would be not getting across to Lord Sugar what I contributed in the task, but nor did kurran. I think he made a shoot-from-the-hip decision. Hopefully, he’ll regret it.

Do you think you should have defended yourself more?

In hindsight, I should have said more. I should have stuck up for myself. I just didn’t think it was me going; I always thought this was Kurran's week to be fired. Unfortunately, it didn’t sway that way.

How how did you find out you were all being brought back to the boardroom after being sent back to the house, and what were your thinking when it happened?

I left the boardroom elated. I was super happy I wasn’t being brought back in. We were all in the car going back to the house when we got the phone call saying Lord Sugar would like to see all the candidates back in the boardroom. Everyone’s hearts stopped. People in the car were thinking, “What’s going on?” and someone mentioned it could just be a technical problem. In my head, I thought it was a twist in the plot. When we all went back in, we knew we were in for another grilling.

It seemed like a pretty unnerving moment.

Look at it like this: I have made unprecedented history with The Apprentice process, haven’t I? So I’m going to go down in history for this.

You said at the end that Lord Sugar will regret firing you. What did you mean by that?

Basically, I was one of the more mature ones in the group. I just feel that with me going, it might come across as quite jovial and less professional. It’s going to become more argumentative, and a bit more about the younger candidates. I wonder whether the professionalism is going to be there. I’m the daddy of the group. Sarah Ann, Jackie and I kind of had to keep a tight lead on the others, and rein them in. Their immaturities can shine through at times.

I know who you’re going to say, but whose days are numbered in the process aside from Kurran?

Everyone has their own strengths, but I think the people who don’t have it in them would be Sabrina and Jasmine. Jasmine is a very good business lady but I think she’s she follows people better than she does lead them. It might look like she is doing all the leading in the kitchen and things, but I think if it wasn’t for having a great team around her, she’d massively struggle.

You and Jasmine had a head-to-head this week. Is there a lot of tongue-biting going on?

God, yeah. It’s a high-pressured environment; everything’s against the clock. It’s very hard work just to get simple tasks completed and working with people who are very similar to you - strong minded, business minded - you do clash because everyone’s got their own way of doing things. I did have to bite my tongue on several occasions just to not offend Jasmine.

And I guess you’re on camera, so you need to be on your best behaviour.

My whole experience was like having a little angel or devil on your shoulder saying, “Rick, just bear in mind: is this what you want to be saying? iIs this how you want to be portrayed?” yYou do have that reservation constantly in the back of your mind wondering how it’s going to be perceived by the country.

You’re actually one of the candidates whose private has been most under scrutiny [ahead of the series, Rick released a statement confirming he and his wife had previously worked as escorts]. Did that surprise you?

It was in the back of my mind, but it’s not something I thought would be as prominent as it was. I can’t let my past stop my future progressing, so I did what I wanted to do and I wouldn’t change it if i could. I mean, everyone’s got a history.

Which candidate is surprising you the most?

Jackie. She’s a really good businesswoman, is articulate and keeps on pulling it out the bag. You can rely on Jackie - she will get you out of the poo if you need help. I know on camera she seems to be a bit of a dragon, but in real life she’s such a nice lady.

With that in mind, are you happy with the way you’ve been edited?

Yeah. I feel like I’ve had a lot of airtime which is great because I know some people who have left who haven’t had that much. I’ve had a great experience and don’t think I’ve come across as an idiot, apart from buying the octopus - but I think 80 per cent of the country would have done the same thing given the circumstances. They can say what they like.

Did you have any concerns after finding out you’d made it onto the show?

I always wondered what sort of dressing down would I get from Lord Sugar if I was fired. His words are the final words people will remember you by. Alex has been nicknamed the Squirrel from the Wirral. Now, I don’t want to walk around in 60 years time and people come up to me calling me that. I’m glad I wasn’t made a mockery of.

How has the experience been overall?

It’s been amazing. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish, including the whole process of applying and even now discussing it with journalists. So many people apply for this experience that us candidates are fortunate to get. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Do you hold any hard feelings?

I’ve no hard feelings. Kurran threw me under the bus, but he’s in there to save himself. It’s just business. Nothing’s take personally - it’s business. We walk out of the boardroom best friends.

What’s your business plan?

My business plan that I put forward to Lord Sugar was to open a chain of play centres. I’ve got two children, so I go to play centres and I don’t think they’re great. They can be massively improved from a parent’s side. I want to roll out generic nationwide play centres so, whether you’re in London or Edinburgh, you know you’re going to the same place where everything’s laid out the same. Iy should be an enjoyable time for yourself and for your child.