As The Apprentice gears up for its infamous Final Five episode, recently-fired candidate Ryan-Mark Parsons has weighed in on what he thinks of the last remaining hopefuls.
The 19-year-old luxury womenswear consultant told MailOnline that he believes that either Scarlett Allen-Horton, Pamela Laird or Carina Lepore will take the crown, that Lewis Ellis’ personal life will interfere with his chances of winning and that Lottie Lion will be ‘annihilated’.
He said of Lottie: ‘She says that she’s not in the process to be a team-player, so perhaps she will thrive in this part of the process.
Spilling the tea: As The Apprentice gears up for its infamous Final Five episode, recently-fired candidate Ryan-Mark Parsons has weighed in on what he thinks of the last remaining hopefuls
‘However, being closest to Lottie in the house and understanding more about her “business”, I have a strong feeling she will be a annihilated.’
Ryan-Mark and 20-year-old librarian Lottie were known to be friendly during filming; yet recent interactions on social media suggest things have become frosty.
Ryan-Mark was recently photographed in McDonald’s eating with a knife and fork, which Lottie mocked on Twitter.
He hit back with the tweet: ‘Ah @LottieLion1 gets annoyed when she isn’t a story. If she isn’t making a headline for racist accusation, she likes to demonise others. Shameful human.’
In his opinion: The 19-year-old luxury womenswear consultant told MailOnline that he believes Lewis Ellis’ [L] personal life will interfere with his chances of winning and that Lottie Lion will be ‘annihilated’ [R]
The racist remark is a reference to claims Lottie called fellow candidate Lubna Farhan ‘Gandhi’ – which she has since insisted was an innocent throwaway comment.
Of Lewis, 28, Ryan-Mark said: ‘Everyone said we had a bromance. Lewis is a great person and working with him for most of my eight weeks in the process, I know he’s a strong candidate.’
This came with a ‘but’, however, as he went on: ‘I worry for how his wild & extreme party life outside of the process could be detrimental to his credibility with the interviewers.
‘Is Lord Sugar going to go into business with an Ibiza enthusiast… it will be interesting to see how far he makes it.’
Cutting: ‘Being closest to Lottie in the house and understanding more about her “business”, I have a strong feeling she will be a annihilated,’ Ryan-Mark said
Pals: Pamela Laird poses with Lewis and Ryan-Mark
Of the other three women, Ryan-Mark’s opinion was much more glowing.
Of Carina, 30, he said: ‘She is one of the most level-headed and genuine candidates out of the whole process.
‘After working with Carina in Week Six, I knew she was a strong and impactful candidate. She raises above the drama and I can imagine Lord Sugar will find admirable traits in her.’
Of Scarlett, 32, he said: ‘Similar to Carina, she has really shone above the rest. Always gracefully gliding through the process, although some have said she has faded into the background, I think she has been very tactical.
Of Lewis, 28, Ryan-Mark said: ‘I worry for how his wild & extreme party life outside of the process could be detrimental to his credibility with the interviewers’
He added: ‘Is Lord Sugar going to go into business with an Ibiza enthusiast… it will be interesting to see how far he makes it’
‘Very articulate, rational and sensible – I have a feeling she could make it all the way. Never worked with her, but she always presented well in the Boardroom.’
Of Pamela, 29, he commented: ‘A great friend in the house. She would always make the Potato Smiles for me after every task; we had so much fun that you didn’t get to see on TV.
‘She already has a fabulous and established cosmetic business that’s booming internationally. She had a bit of a disaster managing the perfume task, but now she’s on her own I have a feeling she will prove her worth to the interviewers.’
Firing line? [L-R] Scarlett Allen-Horton and Pamela will face the interviewers this week
Glowing: Of Carina Lepore, 30, he said – ‘She is one of the most level-headed and genuine candidates out of the whole process’
He concluded: ‘It’s really tough to decide between Pamela, Scarlett and Carina. I think they have the strongest chance of making it to The Final.
‘I will be there with my popcorn on Wednesday, expecting fireworks, tears and savage attacks by Claude Littner.’
The Apprentice continues on BBC One at 9PM on Wednesday. The final airs on Sunday at 9PM.