1. Who is Michaela Wain?

The feisty businesswoman from Bolton is proving herself to be one of the key players in this year's series of The Apprentice.

Michaela, aged 33, said one of the reasons she entered the BBC One show was to help women stay positive and never give up on their dreams.

2. She's a proud mum.

The red-haired businesswoman is mum to eight-year-old Harrison Foster, who she admitted she found it hard to be apart from during the contest.

Michaela said following the week seven task: "I wanted to go home because I was missing my son but had to disconnect myself and press on."

3. Where she studied.

Michaela attended Thornleigh Salesian College, in Sharples, between 1995 and 2002 before leaving to study religion and special needs at Liverpool Hope University.

4. Where she works.

The Heaton-based construction company director said she put herself forward for the Apprentice because her companies sell advertising.

Her six business ventures include 3D Custom Covering, Optimise Build, Finding Local Businesses, Vantage Utility Connections and Vantage Holdings.

But Michaela mostly works on the day-to-day operations of construction magazine Design and Build, which she launched as a joint enterprise with brother Lee John Wain.

The Bolton News:

From left - Lee John Wain, Ben Wain, Josh Ritchie, Cassidy Ritchie, Michaela Wain, Dave Ritchie and estate agent mum Karen Ritchie, of Karen Ritchie Estates, Chorley Old Road 

5. Famous relative.

Michaela's stint on The Apprentice is not her family's first experience of reality TV.

In 2015, her brother Joshua Ritchie starred in ITV2's Love Island and he went on to appear on MTV's Ex On The Beach.

The Bolton News: LOVE ISLAND: Joshua Ritchie

The Ex On The Beach star - who famously had a one-night-stand with Stephanie Davis - sent a message of support to his sister Michaela, after she was revealed as one of the 18 candidates on Lord Alan Sugar's BBC show.

6. What's she like?

Michaela believes she is very easy-going and tries to see the positive in all situations, but admits she sometimes has a short fuse and cannot cope with lazy people.

7. Business style.

The Apprentice candidate said she struggles with nerves and does not enjoy the boardroom setting but thrives on problem solving.

But she's been know to hold her own in Lord Sugar's boardroom

8. When can I next see her?

The next episode airs on BBC One this Wednesday at 9pm.