The Apprentice EXCLUSIVE: 'I'm not a stand-up comedian!' Bushra Shaikh explains THAT cringeworthy cooking demonstration... and hints at a future career in TV

Published: 23:38 GMT, 29 November 2017 | Updated: 09:01 GMT, 30 November 2017

e-mail

View
comments

It was her first time in the firing line of Lord Sugar.

And for 34-year-old Bushra Shaikh it was also her last. The aspiring businesswoman was sent packing on the latest instalment of The Apprentice, after her team failed to impress an audience of foodies with their recipe concept.

But rather than the risotto they were whipping up, it was the 'toe curling' (deemed as such by Karren Brady) and unfunny pitch they put forth that lost them votes.

Scroll down for video

Farewell: It was her first time in the firing line of Lord Sugar. And for 34-year-old Bushra Shaikh it was also her last

'Look, I'm not a stand-up comedian,' Bushra told MailOnline. 'I wanted to leave my comfort zone and show I can do different things. But it didn't work I suppose.'

Bushra put on a live cooking demonstration alongside teammates Elizabeth, James and Sarah, with her and James dressed up as pots of salt and pepper.

Their routine involved a bizarre skit in which the pair of them fought for the attentions of Elizabeth as she cooked the risotto in front of representatives from the likes of Sainsbury's, Aldi and Hello Fresh.

Oh dear: The aspiring businesswoman was sent packing on the latest instalment of The Apprentice, after her team failed to impress an audience of foodies with their recipe concept

Wince-inducing: But rather than the risotto they were whipping up, it was the 'toe curling' (deemed as such by Karren Brady) and unfunny pitch they put forth that lost them votes

Oh dear: Bushra put on a live cooking demonstration alongside teammates Elizabeth, James and Sarah, with her and James dressed up as pots of salt and pepper

Their tactic fell flat on it's face - especially an ill-placed joke about Donald Trump - and their task loss saw Bushra sent home.

'I'm not going to lie, it was a shame not to get through to the final five [there are just seven contestants still in the process] but I just wanted to get through week one to start with.

'The food task - we had a good strong brand. It was the pitch that ruined things. We put too much of a comical spin on things.

Unimpressive: Their routine involved a bizarre skit in which the pair of them fought for the attentions of Elizabeth as she cooked the risotto in front of representatives from the likes of Sainsbury's, Aldi and Hello Fresh

Look away: Their tactic fell flat on it's face - especially an ill-placed joke about Donald Trump - and their task loss saw Bushra sent home

'But I've been on the winning team six out of nine tasks and this was my first time being brought back into the boardroom. It's a shame I wasn't able to get one extra chance. I would have liked to do that, to be given a fair opportunity to change what Lord Sugar didn't like about me.'

Bushra was up against PM Sarah and Elizabeth in the boardroom - the latter dividing fans of the show somewhat with her zany approach to the competition.

'At the end of the day we are all very different,' Bushra went on. 'Elizabeth is good at business; but the way she does it might be different to others. Lord Sugar clearly sees something in her.

Tense time: Bushra was up against PM Sarah and Elizabeth in the boardroom - the latter dividing fans of the show somewhat with her zany approach to the competition

Nightmare: 'At the end of the day we are all very different,' Bushra went on. 'Elizabeth is good at business; but the way she does it might be different to others. Lord Sugar clearly sees something in her'

'I would have made a good partner for him. But I have respect for what he wants to do. And he gave me the opportunity to get to week nine so fair game. There can only be one winner.'

The entrepreneur - who runs a fashion business for women whose religion sees them wear head scarves - insisted she has no regrets and that she hopes she has inspired Asian men and women.

'I hope I have inspired others from the Asian community to come out of their comfort zone and shown that there are other opportunities out there,' she said. 'The outcome here is that I was myself and showed everyone you can do what you want when you put your mind to it.'

Bushra's fellow female candidates have been very argumentative this season - with her, herself, falling into the odd heated disagreement. But she puts the pettiness of some of the others down to their age and inexperience.

No more: 'I would have made a good partner for him. But I have respect for what he wants to do. And he gave me the opportunity to get to week nine so fair game. There can only be one winner'

Immaturity: Bushra's fellow female candidates have been very argumentative this season - with her, herself, falling into the odd heated disagreement. But she puts the pettiness of some of the others down to their age and inexperience

'Lots of them were in their early 20s. And perhaps it was their time of the month,' she joked.

Of teammate James, who told her she 'sits on the fence', Bushra insisted: 'People in the process say things they don't mean. But it's cut throat gameplay. James will do anything to get far in the process. But he is a really nice guy.'

Of the potential winner, Bushra thinks its an open playing field. She said: 'You don't know what Lord Sugar is thinking. It's anyone's game really.'

Her next move might see her sticking around in the world of media and TV.

'I want to explore that, yes,' she said. 'I think there could be more Asian represantation out there, and it's definitely something I am keen to pursue. We will see.'

The Apprentice continues Wednesday at 9PM on BBCOne.