Mortgage broker Farrell attempted to “dupe” lenders into offering clients money by falsifying applications on their behalf.

He apparently did so in order to boost the commission he earned for each mortgage he sold.

29 year old Farrell was arrested in August last year after a bank official noticed the fraudulent applications, but the court was told that at the time, Farrell tried to blame colleagues for forging the papers.

However, in court, he pleaded guilty to those charges and asked that three further counts be taken into consideration.

Magistrates in the Plymouth court told Farrell he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment which would be suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.

Speaking to the press outside the court, Farrell said he “deeply regretted” what he’d done.

He said, “I’m really sorry about what’s happened. It shouldn’t have happened and it is something I deeply regret.

“I am wanting to put it behind me and move on with my life and I would like to thank everyone for their support during a tough time in my life.

“There has been a lot of stress caused, self-inflicted, but I am glad it’s all over and out of the way and looking forward to the future.”

View the original post The Apprentice: Christopher Farrell receives suspended sentence in court on Unreality TV

‘Apprentice’ winner Stella English will be married to her scaffolder boyfriend.

The 31-year-old businesswoman has confessed that her partner Ray Dewar popped the question after she finished filming the BBC1 show, which saw her hired by multi-millionaire tycoon Lord Alan Sugar on a lucrative £100,000-per-year salary on Sunday.

She told The Sun newspaper: “We’re engaged. We haven’t had time to plan because of the show. We’ll think over Christmas. He’s a great partner and really supportive.

The former investment banker recently admitted she was proud of the fact that she had managed to turn her life around and win ‘The Apprentice’, despite having a troubled upbringing.

After landing the job with Lord Sugar, she said: “It’s almost unbelievable that this could have happened to a girl like me. It’s inspired me even though I’m the person who has done it. If you really believe in something then you can achieve anything.”

View the original post The Apprentice 2010: winner Stella English gets engaged! on Unreality TV

‘Apprentice’ winner Stella English has admitted that she would like to become a role model for children from poor backgrounds.

The 31-year-old businesswoman – who grew up in the tough Thamesmead district in south London – admitted even she is inspired by her win, which saw her hired by multi-millionaire tycoon Lord Alan Sugar on a lucrative £100,000-per-year salary.

She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “It’s almost unbelievable that this could have happened to a girl like me. It’s inspired me even though I’m the person who has done it. If you really believe in something then you can achieve anything.

“Don’t get me wrong, there were times when I felt like not bothering at all but I’m so glad I have and I hope that other people in difficult situations will be inspired by me. There are always ways to make your life better – you don’t need to have the best qualifications and that shouldn’t hold you back.

“I really hope that I can become a positive role model to young people who haven’t had the best upbringing. All my life people have told me I can’t do things because I haven’t had enough qualifications but I’ve always thought, ‘To hell with that!’.”

The mother-of-two – who was formerly head of business management at a Japanese investment bank – explained she had always expected to win the BBC One show.

Stella added: “I don’t mean for this to sound arrogant but I went into this process fully expecting and wanting to win. This was my dream and it’s happened now.

“I’ve always believed in my heart that I’d win. I did have times when I felt incredibly tired and there are parts I find incredibly uncomfortable to watch back but I always knew I was the right person for the job.”

View the original post The Apprentice 2010: Stella English wants to be a role model for poor children on Unreality TV

Stella English has won The Apprentice.

After a boozy task, in which the two finalists were asked to create their own alcoholic beverage, Lord Alan Sugar chose the 30 year old mother-of-two for a job in his company worth £100,000 per annum.

To compete on the BBC show, Stella left her job as Head of Business Management on the trading floor of a Japanese investment bank, which she got despite leaving school with no qualifications. Tonight she was seen beating off stiff competition from 24 year old Chris Bates and begging Sugar for the position she said:

I’m taking a big risk here. I have a family to support and so on and I’m walking away from a job that I enjoy. But that should tell you how much I want this. I want this job, I didn’t come here to win the competition, I don’t care about that. I want to get the job and I think you’d be mad not to hire me. I’ve got a proven track record and I think I’ve got the passion that Chris doesn’t have. Anything that I want I always get, I will not let go.

Speaking about her strengths, Lord Sugar responded:

Over the course of the last twelve weeks, what I’ve seen from you Stella is that clearly, you are a great organiser of people, you do know how to handle your team. You handled the boys team tremendously in the second week. You’re well liked and determined to get on with whatever you are asked to do. I also have taken note of where you have come from. The fact that at an early age you never had any qualifications but you went out of the way to train yourself and get yourself the job that you’ve got. That shows me a lot of determination.

Stella you’re hired!

Do you think the Lord chose the right person? Leave your comments below!

View the original post The Apprentice 2010 results: Stella English wins on Unreality TV

‘Apprentice’ finalist Stella English has a “hunger” to work for Lord Alan Sugar.

The 30-year-old Head of Business Management – who is up against 24 year old Chris Bates in the final of the show – thinks it is “incredible” she has got down to the final two and believes it is proof “sheer determination” can help people achieve their dreams.

She said: “There have been many low times in my life when I have felt like giving up and it’s incredible for to me to think that I am a finalist on the programme and could ultimately be Lord Sugar’s Apprentice.

“It is a huge personal achievement of which I am extremely proud and testament to the fact that sheer determination, focus and self belief can break through all barriers. My hunger to win is stronger than ever. My motto in life is, and has always been, ‘Never give up!’ ”

However Chris – who has been on the losing team of the BBC reality TV show six times compared to Stella’s three – says it is “crucial” he wins the job with Lord Sugar.

He added: “It has always been about getting the job for me so to get this close now makes it even more so. It’s really crucial for me to see it through to the end.”

Lord Sugar also praised both contestants, saying they done “incredibly”.

The business leader said: “It’s impossible to call it. They have both done incredibly well but there can only be one winner. It is going to be the most difficult task yet.”
His decision will be shown tonight (19.12.10) on BBC One at 10pm.

View the original post Apprentice 2010 Final: Stella English & Chris Bates desperate to win! on Unreality TV

Stuart ‘The Brand’ Baggs has insisted that he isn’t at all embarrassed by how he was portrayed on ‘The Apprentice’.

The 22-year-old supposed telecoms entrepreneur was sensationally sacked by Lord Alan Sugar last night after it emerged most of his CV had been fabricated. In subsequent interviews he admitted that while his mouth “gets him in trouble”, he doesn’t regret how he behaved on the BBC One show.

He said: “I wish I could take back some of the things that I said. My mouth gets me into trouble. But as you see in week ten, it gets me out of it. I gave such a fantastically good speech in the boardroom I got myself off the hook.

“I’m not embarrassed, it captures me aged 21. The difference in me since it was recorded has given me the ability to hide behind the sofa when watching it back – and gain some people skills.”

The bolshie businessman – who was blasted by corporate lawyer Alan Watts in last night’s show for forgoing ethics to further his career – explained his unusual boardroom style came about because he uses humour to cope with stress.

Stuart added to The Sun newspaper: “I cope with stressful situations by making jokes. People try and put me through some kind of corporate filter.

“They are expecting one thing and when it’s not what they are expecting they think, ‘Oh hang on, that’s a bit unusual’.”

View the original post The Apprentice 2010: Stuart ‘The Brand’ Baggs ‘I’m not embarrassed!’ on Unreality TV

Joanna Riley, Jamie Lester and Stuart Baggs were all fired on last night’s Apprentice triple elimination.

The trio were pushed out by Lord Alan Sugar after failing to impress in the infamously difficult interview stage of the BBC One show, which saw Stella English and Chris Bates put through to Sunday’s final.

Stuart ‘The Brand’ Baggs’ dismissal was one of the most dramatic the series has seen, with the multi-millionaire entrepreneur immediately dismissing him after finding out he had lied on his CV.

Lord Sugar’s former aide Margaret Mountford made her big return to conduct the interviews and blasted overseas property developer Jamie Lester for joking he had a “third nipple.

He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “They’re there to find the smallest hole in your CV and when they do they will exploit it and give you just enough rope to hang yourself.

“It was something so silly and I only said it to get onto the show. It was totally in jest. I thought at the time it was really funny. I never expected to be interviewed by Margaret Mountford when I wrote it.”

Despite admitting his blunder, the 28-year-old businessman thinks Lord Sugar made a “huge mistake” putting “cocky and rude” Stuart through to the final five in the first place.

He added: “He was far too cocky and was so rude to people all the time. I told him to calm down but he hasn’t got any people skills. Lord Sugar made a mistake taking Stuart through to the final five.”

Meanwhile, cleaning company owner Joanna admitted – who was criticised at the start of the competition for being “mouthy” and aggressive” – she was thrilled to make it to the semi-final, as the 25-year-old businesswoman thought she was “a gonner” in the second week.

She explained: “I’m glad I made it so far but those interviews really were like 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. I was just so pleased Lord Sugar gave me another opportunity because let’s face it, I thought I was a gonner in the second week.”

View the original post The Apprentice 2010: Joanna Riley, Jamie Lester and Stuart ‘The Brand’ Baggs are fired on Unreality TV

And Liz went on to claim that’s the reason why she was ditched while Stuart was saved by the billionaire business guru.

As fans will know, Liz’s team – who were led by Stuart – sold less tickets for the London bus tour project than their rivals did, leaving Liz battling to stay in the show.

Liz told the paper, “In that boardroom I felt a sinking feeling as I saw Lord Sugar looking at Stuart with admiration…

“A bit like he saw him as a mini-Sugar. It was really bizarre.

“But fair play to Stuart. I think his main attribute has been schmoozing Lord Sugar.

“He knows what to say to tug on his heartstrings.”

View the original post The Apprentice: Liz Locke says, “Stuart Baggs is Lord Sugar’s mini-me” on Unreality TV

Tonight’s ‘Apprentice’ will see Stuart Baggs and Chris Bates come to blows in a bitter bust-up in the middle of London’s Trafalgar Square.

With the two teams told by business magnate Lord Alan Sugar to create and manage their own tourist bus company for this week’s task, self-titled Stuart ‘The Brand’ Baggs’ sneaky tactics quickly begin to anger his rivals.

Relations first become strained when Apollo – led by the 21-year-old businessman – attempt to encroach on Team Synergy’s visitors’ centre in the hope of poaching potential customers.

However, tensions rise to boiling point when Stuart begins to interrupt Chris and Joanna’s ‘Ghosts and Ghouls’ tour pitch in Trafalgar Square later in the day.

After being told to “f**k off” by 23-year-old investment banker Chris, Stuart angrily snaps: “Go on, hit me then … you mouth off but why don’t you back it up with substance?”

Meanwhile, it isn’t just his boardroom buddies Stuart manages to rile, as the telecoms entrepreneur also offends an East End jellied eels seller as his team research their Cockney-themed tours.

View the original post The Apprentice: Stuart Baggs & Chris Bates fight in Trafalgar Square on Unreality TV

Laura Moore has become the latest candidate to be fired from ‘The Apprentice’.

The 22-year-old business development manager was given the boot by multi-millionaire entrepreneur Lord Alan Sugar after failing to impress with her negotiation skills on a tricky treasure hunt task.

Despite being told by the British business guru that she had been given “a lot of chances”, Laura doesn’t think she was given the opportunity to shine in the BBC One show.

She told BANG Showbiz: “I didn’t have a chance to shine as much as I could have, but I wasn’t in the boardroom once apart from when I was project manager and when I got fired.”

The Warwickshire-based businesswoman also admitted while she admires Lord Sugar, she isn’t envious of the decision he has to make, as she believes the remaining six candidates are all “very strong” contenders.

Laura added: “I do think it’s a very strong final group of candidates. The girls have been very strong this year – Stella and Liz have been consistently very good and I think they stand a good chance.

“It’s the last week before the final candidates are chosen and to be honest I wouldn’t want to put myself in Lord Sugar’s position. I think he’s got a very tough decision ahead of him.

“I greatly admired Lord Sugar before I went on the show and as well as being an inspiration he’s actually a really nice guy. He’s actually a lot softer off camera than he looks on the show.”

View the original post The Apprentice 2010: Laura Moore is fired! on Unreality TV