Apprentice finalist Kate Walsh returned to her hometown in Staffordshire to visit her old primary school.

Teachers and staff at Moorhill Primary School in Cannock got the chance to meet the 27-year-old blonde businesswoman who narrowly missed out on a £100,000-a-year job with Sir Alan Sugar.

Kate, who lives in London, spent yesterday afternoon talking to pupils at the Pye Green Road school about her experiences on the show and answered questions from a hall packed with young fans.

She got the chance to meet teachers and even catch up with one of her old dinner ladies, Christine Strachan, aged 61, of Church Street, Chadsmoor. Mrs Strachan leaves the school next week after 20 years’ service. Before entering the hall, she admitted: “This is more intimidating than going into the boardroom with Sir Alan”

She told the Express & Star: “I am a regular visitor to Cannock, and I am very proud of my roots. I am up here at least once a month, and I still have my hair done in Cannock at Escape Hair Salon, where I have been going since I was 18.”

Her mum Sue Walsh works at the school as a teaching assistant and organised her daughter’s return visit after pupils sent her a letter of support during the Apprentice show. Teachers hope her visit will inspire the pupils to aim high in their own careers.

The former Blake Valley Technology College student made it through the 12-week show to be one of the final two but was beaten to the top job by restaurant owner Yasmina Siadatan. Since the show ended, she has become a darling of the media and graced the red carpet at the premier of the new Transformers film.

“People were very impressed with the way I performed on the show,” she said.

“I am considering about 20 job offers at the moment. They are in lots of different areas like sales, marketing, PR, and there are a few venture capital businesses in there as well. It’s very important I find the right job because my next move is crucial.”

Commenting on her return to Moorhill School, she said: “It’s really nostalgic being back at my old school; it hasn’t changed a lot, and it seems smaller but then so was I back then.” She told the students: “If you work hard and do well in your exams. then you will have some fantastic opportunities later in life. She said afterwards: “If I can inspire some of the children to work hard and be successful, then that is great. I am hopeful of getting to my other old school, Blake Valley, as well at some point.”

Kate told pupils that her favourite Apprentice – apart from herself – was her now boyfriend estate agent Phil Taylor.

She dismissed rumours that the pair were engaged after being seen in a jewellery shop, telling the Express & Star: “We were in a jewellery shop looking for a watch because it is his 30th birthday soon. I tried on a sparkler like girls do and speculation just went mad. We are not engaged,” she said, flashing her ringless hand.

Marie Smith, deputy headteacher at Moorhill Primary School, said: “Kate is an absolute inspiration for our children.”