Global pricing leader Helene Spieght, who lives in Wakefield, and retail buyer Claire Young, who grew up in the city, are up against 14 other top business brains competing for a £100,000-a-year job with Sir Alan.

They both managed to avoid the humiliating 'You're fired' speech in the first week of what has been described as the 'job interview from hell'.

But it could have been different for Miss Young, who put herself up as team leader for the first task, selling £600 worth of fish on a market stall.

Luckily for her, the girls team, Alpha, came out on top, and she was spared the boardroom talk.

Miss Young, 28, is nicknamed 'the Rottweiler' because of her ability to go after whatever she wants. In her job as a buyer, she makes sure the shelves of chemist Superdrug are fully stocked with hair care products.

Miss Speight, 32, works at General Electric in Leeds and won two best practice awards in her first year of IT management.

The girls will be living in a multi-million pound mansion as they fight to reach the top.

The Apprentice is on BBC One on Wednesdays.

Do you know Helene Spieght or Claire Young? The Wakefield Express is keen to hear from friends, family or colleagues, or from the candidates themselves. To get in touch, telephone 01924 433037 or e-mail editorial@wakefieldexpress.co.uk