The Apprentice fans claim Lord Sugar has ‘gone soft’ as he invests in ‘obvious’ candidate: ‘What was that?’

After 10 weeks of pushing themselves to the limit and doing their best to convince Lord Sugar that their business was the right fit, Woolford came out on top.

She and Phil Turner went head-to-head tonight, where they had to launch their business, create a new brand for the company, produce a digital billboard and direct and edit a television advertisement.

All this had to happen before they stood in front of Sugar and industry experts at a black-tie event and give the presentation of a lifetime.

Returning to the boardroom, Sugar had a big decision to make and turned to his colleagues to help with making the right one.

As Turner and Woolford sat in front of Sugar, he explained: “Let me conclude here. This is a very tough decision I’ve got to say.

“Because, I’ve got two very, very credible people in front of me. I’ve got Rachel who claims she’s making money and that she’s going to make even more when she gets the second gym up and running.

“But gyms are kind of like, with all due respect, they’re two a penny. Specialist pies are not and it’s a market which I am very interested in.

“But how can I be interested if there is no light at the end of the tunnel? There’s a loss-making business at the moment that you tell me is going to turn around and be OK, and that’s my dilemma.

“Um… It’s very, very hard for me. I’m having trouble here. But my gut feeling is telling me that… Rachel… You’re going to be my business partner. Don’t let me down, young lady.”

Viewers of the show were left baffled as to why Sugar had invested in another fitness business and took to social media to discuss.

One noted: “For the 2nd year in a row, he invests in a fitness business. #TheApprentice.”

“What the actual hell was that? 2 gym investments in a row #TheApprentice,” another stated before a third quipped: “Not a Gym again! They are ten a penny round here in Leeds £ 250k will go on equipment overnight. #TheApprentice.”