The Apprentice final five revealed after explosive double departure
April 2, 2026 at 10:51 PM
By Carla Feric
The teams were tasked with designing a pet product and social media campaign to pitch to some of the UK’s biggest retailers
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The teams were tasked with designing a pet product and social media campaign to pitch to some of the UK’s biggest retailers CultureTV & RadioThe Appr The teams were tasked with designing a pet product and social media campaign to pitch to some of the UK’s biggest retailers Monitor developments in The for further updates.
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The teams were tasked with designing a pet product and social media campaign to pitch to some of the
The teams were tasked with designing a pet product and social media campaign to pitch to some of the UK’s biggest retailers
CultureTV & RadioThe Apprentice final five revealed after explosive double departureThe teams were tasked with designing a pet product and social media campaign to pitch to some of the UK’s biggest retailersCarla Feric Thursday 02 April 2026 18:51 EDTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoveropen image in galleryKieran McCartney and Rothna Akhtar were the latest to leave the show (BBC)Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreTwo more candidates left The Apprentice on Thursday night, leaving just five hopefuls vying for Lord Sugar's investment. East London estate agent Kieran McCartney was the first to leave, honouring a deal struck with Lord Sugar last week in which he pledged to leave if his team failed to secure a victory as project manager. Student wellbeing adviser Rothna Akhtar, meanwhile, expressed her "disappointment" at being fired, stating she was "so close" to the end of the process. The teams were tasked with creating a new pet product and an accompanying social media campaign to present to major UK retailers.The episode also featured a cameo from former Made In Chelsea star Zara McDermott, who helped the candidates with their social media campaigns.open image in galleryKieran McCartney was fired (BBC)Speaking about his exit, McCartney said: “I think I am quite loud and out there and I am quite an easy person to blame if it all goes wrong because I put my ideas out, whereas some people don’t get noticed as much.“I could have stayed if I fought for my spot.”He added that his highlights on the show were when he teamed up with his fellow candidate Lawrence Rosenberg, and recalled moments with him as “hilarious” and “great fun”.Akhtar, who is also from east London, was sacked by Lord Sugar as she was unable to sell any products during her team’s pitches.“It was disappointing in that immediate moment, but it wasn’t a complete shock because I was standing against Dan (Miller), who I knew had a really good business,” she said, speaking about her fellow candidates’ student recruitment company.open image in galleryRothna Akhtar said she was disappointed to leave (BBC)Akhtar added: “I was in shock because I was so close to the final five and I just felt this wave of disappointment.“But slight relief because it’s an intense process. It was gut-wrenching when you’re so close to making the final five.”Reflecting on her experience on the show, Akhtar recalled the task in week five when she was nominated as project manager and led her team to victory.She said: “I didn’t think I could do it, but I was very proud of myself and I think that will forever be a solid memory that I’ll hold for the rest of my life.”Akhtar would have expanded her bakery business if she had won the programme, while McCartney would have created his own estate agent business.The winner of the latest series of The Apprentice will be awarded £250,000 of investment into their company and the opportunity to go into business with Lord Sugar.The Apprentice returns on BBC One next Thursday at 9pm.More aboutThe ApprenticeLord SugarZara McDermottJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead next
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