Kate Walsh: 'Phillip didn't distract me'

Apprentice finalist Kate Walsh has insisted that she was not distracted by her romance with co-star Phillip Taylor.

The pair grew close when they competed on the BBC One reality series and have continued to see each other since filming ended.

Walsh's relationship was revealed in the boardroom in week seven by contestant Lorraine Tighe, who claimed that the couple had let their personal lives disrupt a sales task.

Amstrad tycoon Sir Alan Sugar later fired Taylor, but granted Walsh a place in the final two.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Walsh commented: "Phillip and I are having a relationship and I think he was distracted by me, not the other way round. I don't know why it's become such an issue.

"Everyone in the Apprentice house has relationships outside and I never heard anyone accusing them of being preoccupied because they were missing boyfriends or girlfriends.

"What I do in my private time has no bearing on my business abilities. I'm absolutely insulted that anyone should think otherwise."

The Apprentice final airs at 9.00pm tomorrow on BBC One.