Apprentices fired up to be apple of Cullen’s eye

AFTER 1,200 applications the nation was last night finally introduced to the 14 of Ireland’s “brightest and best” who are to battle it out to become Bill Cullen’s apprentice.

Following the success of The Apprentice franchise in the US with Donald Trump and in Britain with Alan Sugar, TV3 has launched an Irish version with Bill “It’s a long way from penny apples” Cullen.

Flanked by partner Jackie Lavin and PR consultant Brian Purcell, Mr Cullen was introduced to the 14 contenders outside the €2 million property that will house the apprentices for the next 14 weeks.