Sir Alan fires the 'natural-born leader' who 'smelled of arrogance' in BBC's Apprentice

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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He claimed to be a natural born leader who could make people do things they never imagined.

But it seems Kevin Shaw's self-proclaimed powers of manipulation had no affect on Sir Alan Sugar.

The 24-year-old bank manager has become the fifth contestant to be fired from BBC2's The Apprentice.

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You're fired: Sir Alan Sugar gave Kevin Shaw the boot after his leadership led to 'a fiasco'

In the firing line: Shaw tries to pin the blame on Sara Dhada and Claire Young, who failed to step up and help out, said Sir Alan

Mr Shaw, who is now unemployed, told the Daily Mail: "I deserved to go. I was team leader and our idea and pitch were a complete disaster. If you are in charge, you have to take responsibility when things go wrong."

His team Renaissance lost the week's greeting card challenge, which saw the two groups try and sell new ideas to Tesco, Clinton Cards and Celebrations.

Bizarrely Renaissance came up with the idea for "green cards" which people could send to encourage environmentally friendly behaviour, while Alpha chose cards specifically designed for the singles market.

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Natural selection: Kevin Shaw and Sara Dhada choose the pictures to use on the cards

Sir Alan said to Renaissance: "When I heard your green idea, my initial instinct was that it was no good, and it seems to me that two leading specialist retailers agree with me."

Tesco bought 6,000 Renaissance cards and 1,500 Alpha cards, Clinton Cards bought 0 Renaissance cards and 1,500 Alpha cards and Celebrations bought 0 Renaissance cards and 19,500 Alpha cards.

Bravely, Mr Shaw disagreed with Sir Alan - but the move simply served to further outrage the boss.

He shouted: "How can you disagree with it?" before moving on to Mr Shaw's pitching style, adding: "Clinton Cards reported that your pitch was dreadful. Not selling them cards but preaching to them. (There was) a smell of arrogance about you."

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Bare cheek: A model's backside is exposed as Jenny Celerier organises the shoot for the green cards - in this case showing the benefits of wind power - which flopped so dismally

Astonished: Sir Alan's assistant Margaret can't quite believe her eyes

Mr Shaw was joined in the boardroom by Sara Dhada and South African Claire Young. Sir Alan told them: "Sara, I have a worry. All I see you do is moan. Claire, we've had our run-ins before in this boardroom.

"It is regretful that what you've learnt in the past six weeks doesn't help you in your future, in particular perhaps stepping up and taking over where you are more expert."

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Making his exit: Shaw admitted his idea was poor but couldn't believe others were left in ahead of him

There were ugly scenes back at the house after his dismissal as milkman's son Lee McQueen turned on Shaw's assistant Sara and blamed her for the errors - even though he was on the opposite team.

Lucinda Ledgerwood rolled her eyes as the relentless abuse continued and Sara became upset until eventually Raef Bjayou intervened.

Before being axed from the show Mr Shaw had bragged that he had achieved every objective he had ever set himself, and the only dream left to realise was to earn a six-figure salary by the time he was 25.

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Shameful moment: Sara Dhada was subjected to vitriol from opposing team member Lee McQueen who blamed her for Shaw's exit. Horrified Lucinda Ledgerwood can't believe it

He boasted: "I am driven, ambitious and hungry. It's obvious that I'll play a key part in the show from the start. I don't mess about. If I want something I will get it. I want to win."

Mr Shaw, who lives in Woking, admitted that losing was a massive blow. He added he was hopeful he could learn from the experience and bag himself a much higher profile job.

"At the moment I am taking some time out to work out what I really want and use what I have learned to inform that decision," he said.

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