Cullen’s cliches may inspire but the book is cheaper

‘JUST One Day To Change Your Life’ screamed the poster. For just €125 and six and a half hours of your time, Apprentice star Bill Cullen would let you in on all the tips needed to achieve all your goals and make loads of cash.

If ever a phrase “rags-to-riches” was coined for someone, it was for Cullen. From selling apples on the streets of Dublin, he eventually took over the franchise for Renault car distribution from Waterford Crystal for just £1, but with debts of £18 million. The Glencullen Group, as it became known, blossomed and had a turnover in excess of €300 million in its prime.

I may not have started out in rags but I’m a long way from riches, so I decided that, with a CV like that, if anyone could change my life Cullen could. He couldn’t, but I had a few laughs along the way.