The Badger gets set for success
She's got a television series and a magazine column, a book to be published soon and can earn a five figure sum for speaking to a roomful of people. But what Ruth Badger wants more than anything in the world is to turn on Wolverhampton city's Christmas lights.
"It's been a childhood dream of mine, to turn the lights on in front of my family," she says, excitedly.
It seems like little could prepare 28-year-old Ruth for the flurry of activity in the months following the screening of The Apprentice.
The Wulfrunian came second to winner Michelle Dewberry, who is now rumoured to be pregnant by fellow competitor in the programme Syed Ahmed.
But Ruth was considered by many observers to be the most talented individual on the show by some distance.
She said: "I didn't win it but it feels like I have got all the accolades of winning without the hassle of taking the job.
"I'm very proud of what I've achieved, my life has changed but not drastically.
"I've got a wonderful family and I'm very, very happy in my private life. I'm happier now that I was before the show.
"I'm my own boss so I can control it, I'm doing things I want to do and the whole situation is perfect," she said.
"My family have been so supportive and I've kept my house in Wolverhampton. I'm back here almost every other weekend," she explained.
"I'm busy every weekend up until Christmas but I make sure I take time out in the week to compensate.
"I love coming home, my heart is in Wolverhampton and I will always come back here, people may say things but I'm so proud of where I came from."
Unlike so many talentless reality stars who want nothing more than to be famous, 'The Badger' has always said she is a businesswoman first and foremost.
And she has used her business brain to maximum advantage. She has a weekly business column in a current affairs magazine and this week it was revealed that she will take a starring role in Sky One's Big Idea - a show seeking to find someone with a business idea or invention in a series of X-Factor style heats.
She is filming a series of shows with Lorraine Kelly, will appear on BBC One's One Show with fellow Black Country star Adrian Chiles next week and is even rumoured to have a second top secret show in production for Sky Television.
In addition, Ruth says that she also remains friendly with many of her fellow contestants - including popular Ansell Henry, Syed, Michelle and Alexa Tilley, cousin of Little Britain star Matt Lucas. Ruth even admits to remaining in touch with fearsome Amstrad boss and Apprentice decision maker Sir Alan Sugar.
Ruth says it is vital to her to give something back to her home town, and specifically the Compton Hospice, which appointed her an ambassador shortly after the show finished.
On September 14 she will be hosting a dinner and question and answer session at the prestigious Patshull Park, with all money raised going to the hospice.
Her fondness for the charity based in Compton stems from when a close family member spent time there.
She said: "I really want to champion Compton Hospice, I am busy but I ensure the hospice gets exactly what they need and I have regularly cancelled paid events to work with them," added Ruth.
"I know one way or another Compton will play a part in my private life again, whether it's close family or distant family they will be there," she added.
"It's most important to me because we take it for granted and I have seen in real life how it helps people.
"It has given so much to the area and is taken for granted, so I am giving back to Wolverhampton what I can," Ruth went on to say.
- To buy tickets for An Evening with Ruth Badger on September 14 at Patshull Park at £38 including a meal call the hospice on 0845 2255 497.
