TV 'Apprentice' bosses come face-to-face

The two bosses of reality television show 'The Apprentice' will come face-to-face next month.

Sir Alan Sugar and Bill Cullen will both attend Dublin’s Chamber Christmas lunch, when the Londoner will have the tables turned on him.

Sir Alan, who grills contestants on the BBC version of the show, will take questions from a thousand business leaders which will include Renault boss Mr Cullen, star of the TV3 take of the programme.

The two entrepreneurs’ paths first crossed long before their success back in the early 1970s when Mr Cullen bought some of Sir Alan’s car radios.

Mr Cullen plans to ask Sir Alan if he accepts that leaders are made – not just born?

“The Apprentice maybe the job interview from hell, but Sir Alan will not get off lightly when it comes to questions from our members,” said Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber chief executive.

“Sir Alan’s story of going from London’s East End to the UK’s rich list is a compelling one.

“Businesses are thinking now, more than ever, thinking about the basics of business. Sir Alan is just the kind of self-made man, with a sixth sense for business, that business people want to hear in the current environment.”

The 45-minute question and answer session in the Burlington Hotel on December 5 will feature a range of topics including 'The Apprentice', Gordon Brown, and the current downturn.