The Apprentice: we chat to fired Howard Ebison

Over the last couple of months he’s painted Margate pink, dished out sandwiches in a toga and wrestled with a pop-up pram. Now it’s all over, as Howard Ebison becomes the latest casualty to feel the sharp end of Sir Alan’s gnarled firing finger. We caught up with him for a chat about it all…

Commiserations, Howard. Where did it all go wrong?
Howard Ebison: I think I was another person who underestimated Lorraine. She kept telling us not to underestimate her, but I think I did. She did much better than I did in the boardroom because I was so sure that she was going. I probably wasn’t fully prepared going in there.

So you think Lorraine deserved to go?
Howard Ebison: Definitely. I’ve performed much better and much more consistently across the series than she has.

Sir Alan suggested you don’t take risks and lack ambition. Do you think that was fair?
Howard Ebison: I definitely don’t lack ambition. I don’t think anyone who’s an Apprentice candidate can be accused of lacking ambition. My career to date has been in company where we have a very clear structure, dealing with high volumes, and that’s all I’ve known, so that means I might steer away from risky strategies.

Lorraine said she thought you looked good on camera. Is TV a career you could be tempted to pursue?
Howard Ebison: Definitely not. I have no interest in that, and even if I might have had an interest, the experience of working on the shopping channel confirmed my suspicions that it’s not for me. My opinion is that people who pursue a TV career after they appear on The Apprentice are running the risk of undermining the show – it’s supposed to be a business programme, not one about wannabe celebrities.

One of the tabloids picked up on your sexuality and made a big deal about you being the first openly gay contestant to appear on the show. What did you think about that?
Howard Ebison: Well, firstly it’s inaccurate because there was a gay man on the series last year, and also the series before, so it was factually wrong. Secondly, well, I’m not bothered in the slightest because it’s true: I am gay… and also, of course it can’t be an issue, because there are laws about that, and it would be illegal if it ever did become an issue in the workplace.

But did you expect to see your private life splashed across the tabloids?
Howard Ebison: Well, not as much as it was, but I was expecting it. It’s an inevitable consequence of putting yourself in the public eye.

What did you think of your fellow contestants? Who did you get on with most, and who do you tip to win?
Howard Ebison: The same person for both questions - Kate. I think she’s incredibly strong, and I always thought if I went on to become The Apprentice, she’d be the one that I’d need to beat on the way.

And who’s next to go?
Howard Ebison: Lorraine, Lorraine, Lorraine! She has to. She should’ve ages ago. I do really like her, but she’s just not a strong contender in my eyes.

Thanks, Howard! So remember folks, Howard will absolutely not be appearing on our screens anytime soon.

Interview: Stewart Turner

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