Fired 'Apprentice' denies gay row report

Fired Apprentice candidate Howard Ebison has denied reports that he experienced homophobic remarks on the show.

Earlier in the series, tabloid reports suggested that the 24-year-old business hopeful was offended by comments from fellow candidate Mona Lewis.

It was alleged that Lewis didn't back Ebison's plans for a gay theme on their Rebrand Margate challenge, while one newspaper claimed that she told contestants that she wouldn't want her son to visit a gay holiday resort.

When she was fired from the show in week eight, Lewis rubbished the stories, insisting that she had a "good gay friend" who spent time with her child.

Speaking about the rumours, Ebison told DS: "I've not been upset or experienced any homophobic remarks at all on the show.

"I have no issues with any candidate."

The retail business manager also accepted that Sir Alan Sugar may have picked the right person for the axe this week, after the multi-millionaire accused him of being "ordinary".

"What he said about not taking risks was a fair comment. My jobs to date have been about implementing very clear strategies and not deviating from them," he said.

"I could certainly do with being more maverick in the future."

The Apprentice continues next Wednesday at 9pm.