Hewer 'heartbroken' over Mountford loss

Nick Hewer has claimed that everybody is "absolutely heartbroken" about Margaret Mountford's departure from The Apprentice.

Mountford announced at the weekend that she was quitting the BBC One show after five series working as Sir Alan Sugar's assistant.

The 56-year-old corporate lawyer is leaving to focus on her PhD in papyrology.

"Everybody is absolutely heartbroken about Margaret’s decision to leave," Hewer told The Mirror. "And no one more so than I. She's been a great support and great fun.

"The Nick 'n' Margaret dynamic - the Fruit 'n' Nut as I call it - has been very successful. But she's been dragging her heels on her degree and is fearful of getting a smack for falling behind."

He added: "We've had to talk her into coming back for the past couple of years - so I always knew one day we would not be able to any more. Time's up.

"I've no plans to quit. If they want me I’m happy to stay on."

On last night's final, Sir Alan Sugar chose Yasmina Siadatan as his fifth Apprentice champion.