Apprentice 's Philip Taylor is fired for flirting

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Philip Taylor became the latest Apprentice candidate to get the boot after flirting with fellow contestant Kate Walsh in front of team-mates.

Estate agent Taylor, who fears his legacy will be the "Pants Man" character he devised in a previous show, had blazing rows with another contestant, Lorraine Tighe.

Fired: Philip Taylor

Tighe decided to bring the flirting up in the boardroom.

Sir Alan told 29-year-old Taylor, from County Durham, that he was being given the boot because his bravado and attitude were not going to fit into his organisation.

This week's task on the BBC1 show saw candidates travel to Liverpool and Manchester where new British inventors pitched their products to each team.

The teams were told to select two products to sell on to retailers.

As the flirtation with Walsh picked up steam, Taylor cheekily commented: "I'd buy anything off her."

Tighe nominated herself as project manager for Ignite, which made sales of £1,300 and Mona Lewis stepped up for Empire, which won by notching up £4,501 in sales.

During last night's episode, Tighe referred to the flirting, telling Sir Alan: "I just think they were on a jolly day out to be honest.

"Outside of this boardroom there is a close friendship going on here and I believe on that day it did affect their ability."

But a shocked Walsh responded: "It's a cheap tactic and it's completely untrue.

"I would never compromise my business performance for personal reasons. I've got no loyalties here, Philip or otherwise.

"I don't think it was Philip's strongest task. All I know is I'm here to win."

Sir Alan told Walsh she had performed well in the past seven weeks.

But he told Taylor: "Philip, you're certainly a fiery person and I'm thinking about the hundreds of other people that I employ and thinking of their reaction to you. And it isn't good.

"Lorraine, the underlying concern that I have is that you alienate people. You clearly alienate these two - they think you're a waste of space.

"Lorraine, I'm still not clear about you. But Philip, I think I'm clear in my mind that your bravado and attitude isn't going to fit in my organisation. So Philip - you're fired!"

Visibly crushed, the teary-eyed estate agent stormed out of the boardroom.

Later in the black cab, he said: "I'm disappointed. I thought I had the potential to go a lot further than this. Unfortunately I crossed paths with Lorraine and it was the end of us.

"Yes I've got a big mouth there is no doubt about it, but I'm a much better candidate than she is. I think they'll remember me and I think they'll remember the Body Rocka - but unfortunately they'll also remember Pants Man."

Those behind the show said that Taylor is in the process of signing an interview deal and was therefore not doing general interviews.

 

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