A BOLTON business woman has said how she was left sweating and lost for words after facing Lord Sugar in the boardroom.

Michaela Wain is one of 18 new candidates to face the formidable business man in the new series of The Apprentice.

The 33-year-old from Heaton had never watched an episode of the long-running BBC 2 show before she entered.

However she was soon feeling the pressure o f coming face to face with Alan Sugar and avoid the famous “You’re fired!” moment.

She said: “It was horrendous! I struggled with my nerves a bit and genuinely never sweated so much in my life.

“I struggled to get my words out, it is intense and people do turn on each other. If I had watched the show before entering I might not have gone for it.

“He did keeping getting my name wrong though!”

Miss Waine, a mum-of-one, is a director of construction company Optimise Build Group based in Crown Street and is a graduate of Thornleigh Salesians College.

She originally hails from Breightmet but now lives in Astley Bridge and works on the day-to-day operations of a construction magazine, alongside her role at several other companies in the building sector.

Encouragement from family and friends eventually led her to entering the show.

She explains: “I’ve had my business for seven and a half years and people always say to me ‘you should go on The Apprentice’ so I thought lets go for it, if nothing else comes of it, it is a good experience.

“I believe I have got a good business idea and who wouldn’t want Alan Sugar as their business partner?

“Lors Su

The Apprentice returns to BBC One on Wednesday, October 4.

Also competing to be Lord Sugar’s new business partner is 24-year-old Charles Burns.

He is involved in a management consultancy, a watch trading company and a comparison website.

He is listed as a director of Charles Burns Watches and Jewellery Ltd, which is based at Bankside Place, in Chapelfield in Radcliffe.

He believes his best qualities are his passion, drive and determination but admits he can talk too much and doesn’t always listen and that as long as it is within the rules, he will stop at nothing to win.

He said: “When life throws you lemons, make and sell lemonade for a healthy profit.”

Other contestants taking part in the new series are from the fashion and floristry industries and they will all be competing for the £250,000 investment for their business.

Tasks in the 13th series of the reality programme will include creating a range of burgers, branding and selling robots and planning a premium corporate experience at a sports event.

The candidates will even be tasked with running a doggy daycare service.

Business tycoon Lord Sugar will be joined once again by aides Baroness Karren Brady and Claude Littner for the 12-week process.

He will be challenging the candidates to prove they would be able to grow a business in today’s tough climate.

Lord Sugar explains in the first boardroom of the series: “We’re in strange times now, with Brexit.

“But be under no illusion, in this process I’m the one who decides who’s going to remain and I’m the one who decides who’s going to leave - simple as that.”

Comedian Rhod Gilbert resumes his role at the helm of sister show You’re Fired, airing each week on BBC2, straight after the main show.

Fan favourite The Final Five will be returning ahead of Week 11, revealing the stories behind each budding business partner.

Why I Fired Them will also be back as the series draws to a close, with Lord Sugar giving viewers more insight into his decision-making in the boardroom throughout the series.

The Apprentice returns to Wednesday evenings this year, after moving to Thursdays for the 2016 series.

The successful candidate will be revealed in December.