A contestant on The Apprentice quit the show on Thursday in a surprising turn of events.
Entrepreneur Shannon Martin was the second candidate to leave the BBC series, and it was not Lord Sugar's decision. She announced she wanted to leave as the candidates gathered in the boardroom following their second task.
They had been challenged to make the most profit from selling Bao buns to both the public and a corporate client.
READ MORE: The Apprentice viewers 'upset' as Alan Sugar issues health update moments into show
Shannon, who owns a bridal boutique in West Yorkshire, 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."
A shocked Lord Sugar replied: "Oh, okay. That's your decision. Thank you for coming and I wish you all the best for your future."
To the remaining candidates, he added: "Well that was a bit of a surprise for everybody but I think it's an endorsement that this is a very tough process." Shannon has since explained why she quit the show, Birmingham Live reports.
She said: “I was in the kitchen thinking ‘Why am I here? What am I doing here making bao buns in a kitchen when I can’t cook as it is?’. I just really felt like I couldn’t focus on the tasks because I was constantly thinking about what was going on at home.
“What’s happening with the business? Is everything okay? I knew in the back of my mind that of course everything would be okay, the team are amazing. But I’m a perfectionist.”
She continued: “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 other candidates are just amazing and there’s so many amazing businesses there that I felt that they deserve to win. I’ve already got a very successful business. I just felt that there were more deserving people there than me and it was not right for me to stay in the process.”
The girls' team actually won the task, leaving many Apprentice fans surprised at Shannon's actions. Taking to Twitter, Lindsey said: "She's fired herself but they won?", while Tanel said: "Talk about unfortunate timing, if Shannon had held on for just a little longer she could have quit after the luxury nosh up in Mayfair!"
James said: "Bet Shannon’s sitting at home kicking herself now."
Despite the shock exit, it did not save another candidate from going home. Lord Sugar fired accountant Kevin D’Arcy.
The Apprentice continues on BBC
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