'Apprentice' reject blames regional divide

The Apprentice reject Rocky Andrews has blamed his failure on the North/South divide.

Andrews, 21, said that his team's Olympic-themed sandwiches would have sold better in Northern cities such as Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds.

The former Middlesbrough footballer, who was project manager on this week's task, was fired by Sir Alan after leading his team to a loss of £160.76.

"The first problem and main problem was the theme," Andrews told DS. "But I think if we pitched this theme in Newcastle, Leeds or Manchester, we would have won the task. I just think there's something about these bosses down in The City, where they take themselves too seriously.

"I have no doubt if we were in Northern towns, people would have took to our theme. When we didn't win those early pitches we were on a hiding to nothing really."

Andrews also insisted that his team's product was superior to the girls' team, who made a profit. "When the girls are going in pitching for a tuna wrap and chicken sandwich, I mean you can get than any day of the week at Pret," he said. "I wouldn't be wanting that in my office."

The sandwich chain owner also admitted that he would be continuing to run his companies in the North-East after leaving the show.

"It's a brilliant place to do business because people are straightforward. If you're right with people then you'll be a success up there," he said.

> Click here for our full interview with Rocky Andrews