Beaming Rachel Woolford is the sixth female winner of the Apprentice in six years and she wants to make the opportunity really count after a number of winners decided to fly solo

Rachel Woolford assured Lord Sugar that she’s in it for the long haul and won’t go the same way as other winners who cut ties with the mogul after securing his investment.

This year’s winner vowed to stick with the tycoon for many years to come after he handed her the £250,000 injection, seeing off the threat of ‘Pie Man’ Phil Turner in a tense finale to the BBC series. Asked to relaunch a version of their business and pitch it to industry experts, the high end gym boss was left sweating before being told the incredible news.

But Lord Sugar hasn’t had the best of luck with his winning candidates. Harpreet Kaur, who won the show in 2022, last year announced they had spilt and she now runs her dessert company Oh So Yum! on her own. That came after Carina Lepore, the 2019 champion, called it a day with the businessman after he ploughed cash into her Dough Artisan Bakehouse business.

Joseph Valente split from Lord Sugar two years after he invested into his plumbing business in 2015 but it was the wrong call after he was forced to shut up shop amid reports it owed almost £2million to creditors. A year later, Alana Spencer won before she bought Lord Sugar out but had mixed fortunes after being forced to close a café.

She has told Lord Sugar she is desperate for a long-term relationship (
Image:
PA)

She says girl power is on the rise in the business world after more female success (
Image:
PA)

James White and Sarah Lynn both won in 2017 – but it didn’t work out too well for James, the IT recruitment firm boss was said to have suffered a series of ‘unfortunate setbacks’ and lost £30,000 in the first six months.

Rachel hosted a viewing party with her friends tonight and revealed that only her mum and dad knew – meaning she had to keep the win quiet for over 11 months. She was thrilled with her success and told the Mirror: “I still can’t quiet believe it – I always love watching the programme so to go on was amazing – but to win it? It’s crazy.

Promoted Stories

“It’s a long haul thing, 100 per cent. My interest is a long term strategy, creating a bigger brand than what North Studios is now. Everyone is in their own lane, everyone has different reasons but I am so focused on expanding with Lord Sugar. It’s an honour to have him on hand. He’s injecting a huge amount of capital but it’s always his advice. I can learn so much and want this to go on and on.”

She revealed that they haven’t really been in touch since the final, but don’t worry – it’s all part of the plan. She explained: “When the winner is announced, that’s when the relationship starts. It’s a huge secret. Working together before it’s revealed would give the game away, so I totally understand why we’ve got to wait. You wouldn’t be able to get away with so I’ve not been able to go for my new site yet.”

Rachel paid tribute to Phil who she called a ‘fantastic’ candidateDon’t Miss

Lord Alan Sugar’s seven word statement as he crowns Rachel Woolford Apprentice winner
Ant and Dec receive huge boost after final ever Saturday Night Takeaway as stars call it ‘best night ever’
Frankie Bridge’s £35 ‘classy’ Marks & Spencer bag is flying off the shelves
People are only just realising sticker on Imperial Leather soap bar has hidden use

Rachel is the sixth female winner of The Apprentice in the last six years and she can see a shift in the way women are now seen in the business world. She said: “I don’t think we’re quite at gender equality in the work place just yet but we’re seeing more and more women in higher roles and achieving. It’s a great platform – as a women, there is space for you. It’s nothing but positive that there’s now been eight female winners of the show.”

She went on: “The final was tense, you’re fighting for your business and it gets emotional. For me, staying calm really worked. I didn’t speak any c**p – I didn’t sugar coat things. I think Lord Sugar saw that and that is why he has invested in me. I can’t wait to really get down to work.”

Tonight, we saw Lord Sugar make his decision. He said: “I’ve got Rachel who claims she’s making money and that she’s going to make even more when she gets the second gym up and running but gyms are with all due respect, two-a-penny. Specialist pies are not and it’s a market that I’m very interested in but how can I be interested in it if there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.

“There’s a loss-making business at the moment which you tell me is going to turn around and be okay and that’s my dilemma. It’s very, very hard for me. I’m having trouble here. But my gut feeling is telling me that, Rachel, you’re going to be my business partner.”