Apprentice hopeful in romance claim

An Apprentice hopeful from Staffordshire has already caused a stir by apparently mixing business with pleasure in the latest series of the hit show.

Licensing development manager Kate Walsh, aged 27, who grew up in Cannock, has been linked with fellow contestant estate agent Phillip Taylor, 29.

Sources say the pair began a romance while they were competing to with a £100,000 job with Sir Alan Sugar on the BBC show, which starts its fifth series on Wednesday.

And although their relationship has now ended, it continued beyond the completion of filming.

A show source said: "Kate was flirting with some of the boys from day one and Phillip made it clear he was interested. He made a move and the pair got together after that. After it was all over, they continued to see each other - though it didn't last.

"But while they're no longer an item, they're still in touch and their relationship is sure to be in the spotlight once the series is under way."

On her CV, Kate, who is now based in Hampshire, says she admires Sex & The City's maneater Samantha Jones.

Meanwhile, Phillip, from County Durham, describes himself as "confident and charming" and claims: "You should make friends - but make money while you are doing it."

At the series' launch earlier this week, Sir Alan said that he was "not sure" if there had been any romances this year. But he added knowingly: "I'm sure you lot will find out." Viewers will be able to see Kate and Phillip line up alongside the other hopefuls this Wednesday when they take on Sir Alan's first challenge, washing cars, as the popular 12-week series begins.

This year's series promises to be interesting viewing as the would-be employees have to contend with the recession as well as win over Sir Alan and his advisers.

Earlier this week multi-millionaire Sir Alan, who made his fortune after founding electronics firm Amstrad, said the credit crunch had forced changes in the show, such as the axing of foreign trips in favour of tasks in Manchester and Liverpool. The production budget has also been frozen.

One task is to re-invent British seaside town, Margate, in an attempt to lure cash-strapped Britons who are opting to holiday at home. "I think you will find as we go through the series, some of the shots specifically tend towards the recession and the difficult times," Sir Alan said.