He's fired - and this time it's kosher

He referred our inquiry to the programme’s PR firm, Taylor Herring. A spokesman joked that Mr Sophocles had signed a “two-figure” deal for his story. 

The former Highgate schoolboy will have a lot to talk about. His gaffes became highlights of the show as he attempted to kosher a chicken by getting it blessed by a halal butcher and directed a TV advert without mentioning the product.

He excused the chicken fiasco by claiming he was “only half-Jewish”, despite having a Jewish mother.

His dismissal came as no surprise to former contestant Ruth Badger, who later told him on the BBC2 sister series The Apprentice — You’re Fired: “I thought you maybe should have gone three weeks ago, but your begging technique in the boardroom proved to be a big strength.”

Mr Sophocles reflected on some “horrific” moments in the competition. He admitted: “It was 100 per cent right that I went this week. But I think Sir Alan saw something in me that was similar to him at my age and that can only be a good thing.”

Another former Jewish Apprentice contestant, Sam Judah, reflected: “His head seemed well and truly down and it looked like the competition has taken its toll. Michael has finally run out of his nine lives.”