'The Apprentice is the best thing I ever did'

The winner of The Apprentice 2024 has said taking part in the series was the "highlight of my career".

Rachel Woolford, 29, impressed Lord Sugar with her boutique gym business, North Studio, which has venues in Harrogate and Leeds.

Reflecting on her stint on the show, Ms Woolford said the rooms she had been able to get in due to her experience were "incredible".

She urged future contestants to "strap in", ignore negative comments and to embrace all the opportunities that came with the series.

Ahead of tonight's premiere of series 19, Ms Woolford said: "It's really strange that there's another season starting and it's going to be weird watching it and not being on it.

"Last year, even though you know what the outcome is, you're still on the edge of your seat because you forget a lot of the things that happen and the things you say."

After beating fellow contestant and piemaker, Phil Turner, Ms Woolford went into business with Lord Sugar.

"We speak monthly, so we have a monthly management accounts meeting," she said.

"We go through what's going on in the business, where there are problems, where we can improve the problems and what things are going well.

"I can speak to him generally as much or as little as I like."

Ms Woolford added she still retained much of her independence and continued to manage the studios by herself.

Although she said Covid had boosted the fitness industry and made it attractive to invest in, she believed Lord Sugar had invested in her as a person.

"I'm just a typical Northerner, I say it as it is and I'm a big grafter," she added.

"I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and I do just crack on with things."

A business owner hoping to follow in Ms Woolford's footsteps is Keir Shave.

Mr Shave, who grew up in Harrogate and now has a telemarketing company in Leeds, is set to feature in the upcoming series of The Apprentice.

Setting up his business in just three days, after his previous employer went bust overnight, Mr Shave employs more than 40 staff.

The 27-year-old said he had the "drive, skill and passion" in abundance to run a successful enterprise.

Offering advice to future contestants, Ms Woolford said: "I'm not afraid to admit this, honestly it was not the plan to win.

"I think the people that go on to try to win it, they went early doors. Go in with an attitude of seeing what it is all about, be yourself and if that's not enough, be OK with that.

"There are some days when you really struggle when you're filming. I really missed my business, I really missed my family, but it was a massive growing process."

She advised others to strap in for the ride and take advantage of the feedback.

"If you use those opportunities and capitalise on it, it'll be the best thing," Ms Woolford added.

"Personally, it's the best thing I ever did in my career."

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