Only two episodes into the 2023 series of The Apprentice on BBC One, you can read everything you need to know about the show here, and there has been a shock exit as one candidate left the show of her own accord before the teams' efforts were even presented to Lord Sugar.
Shannon Martin halted the boardroom process before it even started, shocking Lord Sugar and her fellow Apprentice candidates after saying that the process wasn't for her and has left fans of the show shocked by her decision.
Martin, a bridal shop owner, told Lord Sugar shortly after the teams entered the boardroom, she said: "Lord Sugar, if I may, I've made the difficult decision to leave the process. Unfortunately I just don't feel like this is the environment for me but I want to say a massive thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity."
After wishing Shannon the best Lord Sugar admitted her withdrawal was a surprise. He said: "Well, that was a bit of a surprise for everybody but I think its an endorsement of the fact this is a very tough process."
READ MORE: BBC The Apprentice: Who won the last series in 2022 and where are they now?
Many viewers were shocked by Shannon's decision to leave and said they did not see her exit coming. One said: "Wow, Shannon just left #TheApprentice" and another added: "Damn that’s a surprise out of nowhere #TheApprentice".
A third said: "jeeeez what’s she doing?! #TheApprentice" and: "Didn’t expect that #TheApprentice". A fifth said: "Leave?! Wa What?! #theapprentice". After her exit the teams learned that the girls' team won the task where they had to create and sell bao buns. This included creating bao buns to sell at market to the general public and bespoke bao buns for corporate clients.
This left the boys team in the firing line after they failed to negotiate a good price for their dinosaur-themed bao buns and then failed in making enough bao buns. Ultimately Kevin D'Arcy was fired, making him the second contestant to be fired from the 2023 series.
Shannon also spoke about why she decided to leave the show, after she realised she didn't want her life to change if she became Lord Sugars business partner. She said: “The more I thought about it, the more I thought, ‘Am I in here for the right reasons? Do I really want a business partner? Is this what I want? Do I want my life to change?’ and it really made me realise I love my life, I love the team and I love everything about my life."
“I knew that I could potentially win the show, and did I really want to win and have my life completely changed? No, I didn’t. I wasn’t in there for the right reasons.” The Apprentice continues on BBC One next Thursday at 9pm.
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