Wednesday, 13 July 2011

The Apprentice: The final 5's secret lives

Now opens its briefcase to reveal the surprising tales of the final five

Lord Alan Sugar | The Apprentice 2011 | Pictures | Photos | New

Lord Alan Sugar will pick his winner in the final on 17 July 2011

The Apprentice: Tom Pellereau wins in exciting and slightly bonkers final

Jim Eastwood married his childhood sweetheart - eventually

Whether he's bashing heads with CEOs or stealing kisses from the ladies, Jim Eastwood, 32, relies on his gift of the gab - the result of being the youngest of six children.

But don't be fooled: he isn't a ladies' man.

The handsome smoothie met his wife Paula outside a gym in their home town of Cookstown, County Tyrone, when they were 11.

Susan Ma grew up in poverty

Susan Ma had humble beginnings in Shanghai, brought up by her single mum Shu Mei Lu.

‘We had no heating, electricity or gas,' says Susan, 21.

She also suffered racial abuse after her family moved to Australia when she was seven.

Natasha Scribbins was brought up by a single mum

Natasha Scribbins, 31, learned the value of earning a buck while still at school.

Raised by a single mum on benefits on a Devon housing estate, Natasha was entitled to free school dinners and uniform vouchers, but says: ‘I took a job after school so I didn't have to use them.'

Jamie Oliver wouldn't blame you one bit, Tash.

Dyslexia saved Tom Pellereau's career

Nutty inventor Tom Pellereau, 31, says his dyslexia actually helped him in business.

‘It made me think differently,' he says.

‘I realised I could visualise better than other people.'

Helen Milligan Used To Be A Blonde Waitress

Prim and proper Helen Milligan from Stockport dyed her hair brunette so she'd be taken more seriously in business.

The 30-year-old studied law at university but found she didn't like defending guilty people, so became a waitress after graduation.

Read the full story about The Apprentice finalists in Now magazine dated 18 July 2011 - out now!

Now cover 18 July 2011