Apprentice star Syed Ahmed is "living in a dream world", according to former workmates.

The contestant, one of 13 trying to impress Sir Alan Sugar on the BBC Two series, claims that he has spent the past two years building up a company which turns over £1.6 million.

However, just one year ago, Syed was earning a wage of £25,000 as a consultant at a small firm.

"We couldn’t stop laughing when we saw Syed on The Apprentice," an ex-colleague told The Sun. "He made out like he has been at the top of his game for years. But just a year ago he was a very ordinary recruitment consultant.

"He’s not one of the top business minds in Britain - he is living in a dream world."