Lord Alan Sugar stunned viewers of The Apprentice on Thursday evening by dismissing three candidates in a single episode. Elle Stevenson, Mergim Butaja and April Jackson were all given their marching orders after failing to impress the tycoon during the latest task.
The candidates were challenged to put their DIY skills to the test, setting up their own handyman business with little more than a van full of tools and their knowledge of a drill. They were sent to work on homes across London, but their efforts proved insufficient for Lord Sugar, who wasted no time in showing them the door.
Viewers took to Twitter to share their shock at the triple firing, with many describing the episode as "brutal" and a "bloodbath". One wrote: "Wow, bloodbath on #apprentice Think I would've been fired for dodgy shelves too," while another said: "THREE PEOPLE FIRED ON THE APPRENTICE!!!! I WASN'T READY. I WASN'T READY." A different fan simply posted: "Sugar on The Apprentice was just BRUTAL. 3 firings in one episode."
The dramatic episode follows the departure of Natalie Dean last week, who failed to earn any sympathy from Lord Sugar despite suffering from a cold. Her team's children's book, the tale of a bee on a journey to make honey, was outperformed by the rival team's story of Snottydink the elephant-dragon creature, leading to her dismissal after a poor pitch.
