SPOILER ALERT 'They ripped me to absolute shreds!' Jessica Cunningham breaks down as The Apprentice's final five candidates face the cringe-inducing interview round

By Rebecca Lawrence For Mailonline

Published: 19:31 EST, 14 December 2016 | Updated: 21:19 EST, 14 December 2016

It's the most notorious step of The Apprentice process. 

And the Final Five candidates are set to face the dreaded interview stage on Thursday night's episode of the BBC show, with typically scandalous results. 

Faced with a barrage of questions from four of Lord Sugar’s trusted advisors: Claude Littner, Claudine Collins, Mike Soutar and Linda Plant - it wasn't long before the candidates began to fall apart, with Jessica Cunningham even remarking that she had left her 'dignity on the 42nd floor'.

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Heading to their fate: The Final Five candidates are set to face the dreaded interview stage on Thursday night's episode of The Apprentice, with typically scandalous results

In traditional style, the remaining five candidates - Jessica, Alana Spencer, Courtney Wood, Frances Bishop and Grainne McCoy - were given 24 hours to comb over their business plans before attempting to convince the interviewers that they would be the best person for Lord Sugar to invest in. 

With only two candidates allowed to make it through to the final, there was already a sense of tension as the made their way to the Leadenhall Building in the Square Mile for their questioning.

But the experience was worse than they had expected, with Jessica claiming after her interview with Linda: 'She ripped me to absolute shreds; I’ve left my dignity on the 42nd floor.'

One to impress: Lord Sugar’s most trusted advisor Claude Littner will lead the tough questioning along with interviewers Claudine Collins, Mike Soutar and Linda Plant

Meanwhile, Frances was visibly shaken after her interview with Mike, remarking: 'They know everything!' 

Adding to her woes, the children's clothing company owner was then told by Claude her business plan 'looks like it’s been thrown together,' adding, 'it’s appalling.'

Not afraid to answer back, however, during her interview with Linda, Frances left the businesswoman astounded when she demanded to be allowed to finish explaining one of her points. 

Frazzled: It wasn't long before the candidates began to fall apart, with Jessica Cunningham even remarking that she had left her 'dignity on the 42nd floor'

Courtney was also unafraid to speak to his mind, not fazed when Claudine dryly repeated back the claim on his CV that he is 'awesome'. 

Sticking to his guns, the novelty gifts company owner responded: 'I think I am awesome, I’ve won the most tasks'.

He then went on to displease Claude when he admitted that he would 'fart in a lift full of supermodels' if he knew he wouldn’t get caught.

Unimpressed: Frances Bishop was shaken after her interview, remarking: 'They know everything!' She was also told her business plan 'looks like it’s been thrown together'

Cheeky! Courtney was also unafraid to speak to his mind but displeased Claude when he admitted that he would 'fart in a lift full of supermodels' if he knew he wouldn’t get caught

Make-up studio owner Grainne faced a mathematical struggle with interviewer Mike after he asked her to defend her conclusion that 5 out of 6 is equivalent to 90 per cent.

However, she seemed to handle the process well, remarking after a tough interview with Claude 'I knew it was never going to be perfect.

'I need to grow from this and learn what they’re telling me and I’m going to take it on board.'

Adding it up: Make-up artist Grainne McCoy faced a maths struggle with the interviewers after she was told to her to defend her conclusion that 5 out of 6 is equivalent to 90%

Fighting back: Alana Spencer was also unable to escape a tense set of questions during her interviews as concerns were voiced that she seemed unwilling to invest in her own company

Alana Spencer was also unable to escape a tense set of questions during her interviews. 

Claude voiced his concerns that the cake shop owner had seemed unwilling to invest in her own company, to which she coolly responded: 'It’s a commitment, and it’s got to be your commitment.'

The Apprentice returns Thursday on BBC One at 9pm, when Lord Sugar will choose his two finalists. 

You're fired! The Apprentice returns Thursday on BBC One at 9pm, when Lord Sugar will choose his two finalists after the interview process

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