Latest 'Apprentice' candidate fired

Paula Jones has become the fourth applicant to be fired by Sir Alan Sugar on The Apprentice.

The 28-year-old human resource consultant was given the boot after being made the project manager in the cosmetics products task and leading Team Empire to a loss of £493.97.

Jones was praised for her leadership skills and product by Nick Hewer and Sir Alan, but they held her responsible for the team's failure to notice the vast costing difference in the use of Sandalwood and Cedarwood.

Hewer revealed that Empire would have won the challenge if they had not used the more expensive ingredient in their product.

The West Midlands-born applicant blamed her costings team of Ben Clarke and Yasmina Siadatan for the loss, describing the 22-year-old Clarke as a "thug".

However, Sir Alan insisted that he had no choice but to fire Jones, arguing that she made the "fatal error" on this week's task.

After being fired, Jones said that she was pleased with her behaviour and performance in the boardroom.

"I've gone so early in the competition," she said. "However I've not gone because I've been a terrible team leader or a cheat or a liar, I've gone because of a mistake and everybody makes mistakes, so there's absolutely no shame in that."

The Apprentice continues next Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One.

> Click here to read our interview with Paula Jones