A BUSINESSMAN from Stanford-le-Hope is among the favourites to win The Apprentice.

Courtney Wood, designer and owner of Bubblegum Stuff gift company, was named as an ideal candidate to win the BBC show by a competitor who was fired.

Lord Alan Sugar fired Pitsea’s Apprentice candidate Sofiane Khelfa, but the French-born technology guru is determined to move on to bigger and better things, despite failing to lead the team to victory in his final show.

With the final task before the interviews coming up this week, Sofiane believes Thurrock contestant Courtney Wood could be the one to beat.

He said: “Courtney knows his industry so if he can make it past this last task, I think he will ace the interviews.

“He’s the only man left and has some very strong ladies to compete with, but I think he could do it.”