'Apprentice': 'Sugar is great role-model'

Departed Junior Apprentice candidate Adam Eliaz has claimed that Lord Alan Sugar is a great role-model.

Eliaz, 17, was forced to leave the show last night after falling ill during filming. The market seller had been praised by Sugar, but was asked to depart the competition.

Despite failing to win the reality show, Eliaz insisted that he has nothing but admiration for the multi-millionaire. "I personally thought that Lord Sugar is a very down-to-earth man and not what he sometimes comes across [as] on TV," he said.

"I have a lot of respect for the man and I have some understanding of how hard [he] must have worked when he was my age. I believe that all young people like myself should look up to someone as a role-model and after my experience on the show I can surely say that he is mine."

The London-based teenager also commended Sugar's assistant Karren Brady, joking that he would like her in charge of his favourite football team Tottenham Hotspur. "I think she is a brilliant business woman and very kind-hearted," he said.

Speaking about his career plans, he added: "I am still running my business full-time, selling fishing tackle from my website, eBay and my shop which is based in Colindale, North West London. On a Sunday I wake up at 4am in the morning where I sell my stock at a bootsale in Potters Bar."

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