Sir Alan's sidekick Margaret Mountford to leave The Apprentice

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 05:52 EST, 12 September 2009

Sir Alan Sugar's Apprentice sidekick Margaret Mountford announced today she was to leave the show.

Ms Mountford, 56, has quit after five years to concentrate on her academic studies of ancient Egyptian manuscripts.

She was Sir Alan's eyes and ears alongside Nick Hewer, with the pair reporting back to their boss on how contestants did in their tasks.

Leaving: Margaret Mountford today announced she will quit The Apprentice to concentrate on her academic studies of ancient Egyptian manuscripts

Leaving: Margaret Mountford today announced she will quit The Apprentice to concentrate on her academic studies of ancient Egyptian manuscripts

Margaret said: 'I have really enjoyed making The Apprentice and it was a very hard decision to say goodbye.

'But I am working on a PhD in papyrology and I would like to concentrate on finishing this before I need a Zimmer frame to get on the platform to receive it.

'It has been an amazing experience, and certainly not one that I will ever forget.'

She first met Sir Alan in the 1980s when she was hired to advise him on legal issues with his firm Amstrad.

James McQuillan
Philip Taylor

Here come the boys: James McQuillan (left) and Philip Taylor

Sir Alan said: 'Margaret has been a highly regarded colleague and friend for over 25 years.

'Five years ago she agreed to put her studies on hold for the first series.

'None of us expected the show to be such a big hit, but now, five years later, she really wants to finish her masters.

Mona Lewis
Debra Barr

Reunited: Fired contestants Mona Lewis (left) and Debra Barr

Jonathan Ross
Adrian Chiles

Celebrity fans: Jonathan Ross (left) and Adrian Chiles

'We will miss her, but I respect her wishes and want to take this opportunity to thank her for the great contribution she has made to the series and of course wish her the best of luck with her studies.'

Meanwhile it is business as usual as Margaret and the gang prepare for The Apprentice final tomorrow. 

Yasmina Siadatan and Kate Walsh, both 27, go head to head as they battle it out for the privilege of being Sir Alan's Apprentice.

Contestants of the show and celebrity fans were spotted attending the recording session for the show at a film studio in West London yesterday. 

Yasmina Siadatan and Kate Walsh

Apprentice finalists Yasmina Siadatan (left) and Kate Walsh will battle it out on Sunday by competing to create and market a new brand of chocolates




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