Axed Apprentice star hits back at Alan Sugar after getting fired over spelling mistake

The Apprentice star Francesca Kennedy Wallbank is the latest candidate to be fired from the boardroom following a video game inspired task.

After a blockbuster opening where a computer animated Lord Sugar tasked the teams to create a brand new video game and pitch it to leaders in the industry, one team won the final board room level.

However, for Francesca and her team, it was game over.

Speaking to Daily Star and other press, Francesca has now revealed her shock on being fired from the boardroom after acting as sub team leader and being called out by Lord Sugar over a spelling mis-hap during the task.

After being tipped as a front-runner in the series, Francesca described her reaction to being fired from the boardroom over a spelling error, saying: “I was shocked!

“I am someone that believes in fate and maybe the partnership with Lord Sugar just wasn’t meant to be.”

During the task the team accidentally called their video game Artic Saviour, instead of Arctic Saviour, something that Karen Brady immediately picked up in the design process – and ultimately led to Francesca’s firing.

She said: “He fired me because of a spelling error but he himself, in his autobiography, refers to his own spelling as atrocious, so I think we probably have more in common than he realises!”

“I wish more of my performance in the other tasks were taken into account when the decision was made, after all it is a process and everything that has happened prior should be taken into consideration, in my opinion.”

Despite having triumphed in tasks including the toothbrush, non-alcoholic drink and fish themed challenges, Francesca and her team failed to impress this week with their video game, which was described as “too simple” and received no investment for development.

Reflecting on the challenge, Francesca explained that a lot of the reasons the task failed had nothing to do with her, saying: “When you are brought back into that final boardroom, it’s all about the reason the task failed.

“The feedback from the panel was that ultimately the concept of sustainability wasn’t right for a game, the game play was very boring and the spelling mistake let the branding down.

“So two of the three things that failed the task had nothing to do with me.”

She added: “As Lord Sugar has mentioned before, it’s the substance that counts and the marketing is all the stuff that makes it nice on top.

“If the game had been really good and wasn’t focused on such a serious and quite scary subject matter, I think the panel would have overlooked the spelling. That would have been a simple thing we could have changed.”

However, team leader Brittany thought the game would have succeeded if the branding was right and decided to bring Francesca and Sophie back into the boardroom with her, with Francesca ultimately at the end of Lord Sugar’s firing finger.

Asked whether her firing was justified, Francesca replied: “Maybe the wrong person was fired, however, I love Brittany and I think she’s going to go really far in this process.”

Although Francesca has stepped into the black cab to go home, she explained how much fun she had on the show and the close bonds she developed with her fellow co-stars.

She said: “Nick and Brittany – we bonded over Vodify (non-alcoholic drink task, episode 3). Painting Nick for the social media filter just united us three.

Genuinely, we had a lot of fun on that task and I think it came through on the branding. I’m never going to have a hangover again, though!

“Vodify for life, guys!”

She also thanked fans for their support on social media, saying that their comments have meant so much to her throughout her journey on The Apprentice.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more, honestly everyone has been so lovely,” said Francesca, adding: “The response has just been overwhelmingly positive.

“Most people reach out to say I am driven and intelligent and I love those comments as it goes deeper than just the way I look.”

As she sits at home and waits for the next Apprentice to be crowned however, who does Francesca think should win?

“To be honest, I’m not sure what Lord Sugar is looking for,” said Francesca.

“He’s obviously not looking for anyone with serious business acumen, otherwise I would have won!”

She also added her support for her fellow candidates, saying: “Oh, the girls are just so strong. I feel like it could definitely be an all-girl final. I just wish them all so much luck!”

The Apprentice continues Thursday on BBC One at 9pm

For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk