The Apprentice Episode 12 'The Final'

So this year's Apprentice comes to a close. What a final. You could really see that both the final two had huge potential and it would be a hard decision to make. My favourite is Simon. He has proved through the whole series to be a character. He should have gone, however, in the TV selling challenge. When he didn't, it proved to me how much Sir Alan rates him. Kristina is also a worthy finalist. She has been strong all the way through. When she was in the losing team, it was never because of her. How did Sir Alan go in the end?...

Sir Alan gave the candidates four days to come up with conceptual ideas for a new building, and as usual - it's got to make money. Some of the candidates from earlier in the series returned to help them. Kristina picks Natalie, Naomi, Adam and old rival Paul to her team. Simon's back with his best mate Tre, Lohit, Jadine and Rory.

As with all the tasks, it's never a smooth ride. Going with the idea for a phoenix building, Kristina's focusing on the figures, while Paul's left in charge of the designs. But Paul mucks up the measurements, losing Kristina a potential £53 million! Natalie and Adam are sent to pick up props for their display. With classy in mind, they come back with bags of tat - creating what Kristina feels is a 'brothel' like display. She tells them to change it!

On the other team, Simon and Tre come up with an idea for a boat-shaped building, only to have it slammed by Rory, who wants to make a 'spunky' looking building with guts. Rory's inspired by organic shapes and draws out a wave shaped building. Fair play to Rory - whilst he was a drip in the show, his design and ideas in this week's challenge were good. Unfortunately, Simon didn't take Rory to the architects and somewhere along the design process, the building starts to look a bit phallic!

Tensions are rising. Rory and Tre clash over his ideas for dancers and Jadine takes Simon aside for a pep talk, advising him to watch his back. By now morale's so low Simon takes desperate measures, offering his team an all-expenses-paid holiday in Barcelona if he wins. This fails to motivate Tre, who'd 'rather stab himself in the eye' than go on holiday with his team mates. Tre has a real way with words!

It all comes together on the night and both candidates give impressive presentations. Simon takes to the podium pitching the wave as a 'radical development' that will 'transform the skyline' Kristina's up next with her phoenix, 'an inspirational building that makes business sense'.

Back in the boardroom, Sir Alan faces the two finalists alone. His dilemma is visible. Both are asked why they should be hired. Kristina's response is practical - 'I'm focused, determined' but Simon's is more emotional - 'I'll work my cotton socks off'. (Cottons socks?)

'It's a tough decision. There's only one job... I've got someone very experienced, someone enthusiastic.' 'Do I need to be the headmaster again?' But in a final surprise move, he says, 'Bloody old fool that I am, I'm going to take the risk - Simon you're hired!'

Nice one.

So what should I do now? Lost isn't back until February and The Apprentice won't be back until March. There's nothing left that's any good on the telly. Hopefully Peter Jones' Apprentice rip off Tycoon might be worth watching. There's no way I'm going to watch Big Brother. I guess I'll just have to find something else to do!