A fresh set of ambitious candidates is set to compete for the opportunity to work with Lord Alan Sugar on BBC’s The Apprentice. However, winning the competition does not always guarantee lasting success, as demonstrated by former champion Stella English.
Stella English emerged victorious in the sixth season of The Apprentice, securing a high-profile role with Lord Sugar. Yet, her journey quickly took an unexpected turn. The promising £100,000-a-year job she won ended in disappointment, leading to her eventual resignation and a failed legal battle against her former employer. Reflecting on her turbulent experience, she expressed deep regret, admitting: “I wish I had never gone on The Apprentice. I’m broke and on my knees. I just don’t know how I’m going to carry on.”
A High-Flying Career Takes a Drastic Turn
Before her television appearance, Stella held an £85,000-a-year managerial position on the trading floor of the Japanese bank Daiwa. At that point, she was living a life of luxury, driving Porsches and Bentleys, employing chauffeurs, and indulging in designer fashion, including £300 shoes. She also owned three properties.
When she saw an advert for The Apprentice, she believed it was an opportunity too good to miss. Despite being warned by her boss—who even offered her £100,000 to stay in her job—Stella pursued her dream, convinced that winning the competition would change her life. However, financial difficulties began to mount even before the show aired, as she had already left her well-paid job to participate in the contest.
Disillusionment with Lord Sugar’s Business Empire
After winning the show, Stella took on a role at Viglen, Lord Sugar’s computer company. However, she soon became disillusioned, claiming the job was nothing like what she had expected. Sources suggested she felt more like a “glorified PA” than a business executive. “She was very disappointed and felt that the work did not match the high-flying career she had envisioned,” an insider revealed.
Her dissatisfaction led to direct confrontations with Lord Sugar, as she openly voiced her frustration about the nature of her responsibilities. Eventually, a company representative confirmed that Stella would be moving to YouView, a web-connected TV service where Lord Sugar served as a non-executive chairman.
Despite the reassignment, the relationship between Stella and Lord Sugar continued to deteriorate. Although he publicly acknowledged her contributions at Viglen and expressed optimism about her future at YouView, the situation failed to improve. The promising career she had anticipated never materialized in the way she had hoped.
Legal Battle and Personal Struggles
In a desperate attempt to reclaim control over her career, Stella pursued legal action against Lord Sugar, claiming she had been treated unfairly in her role. However, the case did not go in her favor. The court ruled against her, dealing a severe blow to both her professional reputation and financial stability.
As her legal and financial struggles intensified, Stella found herself in dire straits. By 2013, she revealed that she had only £90 left in her bank account. In addition to her financial troubles, her personal life also suffered—she had lost not only her job but also her husband, leaving her to navigate an uncertain future alone.
The Emotional Toll of a Public Battle
Stella’s public fallout with Lord Sugar had significant emotional repercussions. Being in the spotlight brought unwanted media attention, and the stress of the legal battle took a heavy toll on her mental well-being. She later spoke about the impact it had on her confidence and self-worth, describing how difficult it was to rebuild her life with the stigma of public failure hanging over her.
Friends and former colleagues expressed concern about her struggles, noting that the transition from high-flying executive to reality TV star and then to an unemployed former contestant was overwhelming. Despite her determination to succeed, Stella found herself facing obstacles that were difficult to overcome without financial security or professional backing.
Attempting a Fresh Start
Following her departure from YouView and the failure of her legal claim, Stella attempted to start anew by seeking work in different industries. However, she soon discovered that her association with The Apprentice and the controversy surrounding her dispute with Lord Sugar made it challenging to secure opportunities. Many potential employers hesitated to take on someone who had been at the center of such a high-profile corporate fallout.
She eventually turned to public speaking and mentoring, using her experience as a cautionary tale for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals. She emphasized the importance of making informed career choices and not assuming that television success translates into long-term job security.
A Cautionary Tale for Future Candidates
Stella English’s experience serves as a stark reminder that winning The Apprentice does not always guarantee long-term success. Her story highlights the risks of leaving behind a stable career for the promise of a television-fueled business opportunity.
As another cohort of contestants prepares to compete in the upcoming series, they would do well to remember that not all victories lead to the success they imagine. For Stella, what once seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime ultimately became a struggle to rebuild her life from the ground up.
Her journey serves as a lesson in resilience, reminding future contestants that career decisions should be based on more than just the allure of television fame. Success is not simply about winning a competition—it is about ensuring that every step taken leads to sustainable and fulfilling professional growth.
