Mortgage broker and former sniper to appear on The Apprentice

01 October 2010

A mortgage broker from Cheshire, who served ten years as a professional killer when deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo, is one of 16 candidates taking on Lord Sugar in the forthcoming series of The Apprentice.

Twenty-eight year old Christian Farrell spoke of his determination, and said he liked being under pressure, working to deadlines and having targets.

He is the first mortgage broker to appear in on the reality TV show.

In his audition for the sixth series of the BBC show - where young professionals compete for a job as Alan Sugar's ‘apprentice' - the former Commando in the Royal Marines came across as dedicated and confident.

Speaking of his time in the military he said: "I've been to the other side of things where friends lose legs, friends lose limbs, I know how lucky I am to be where I am."

On his success in life so far, he said: "Everything I've ever done I've succeeded in, I wouldn't do it if I wasn't good."

Mr Farrell is up against 15 other wannabe-Sugars, including Jamie Lester, also 28, an overseas property developer from London. Mr Lester owned two properties by the age of 23, and launched his own property business a year later, turning over £1 million in two-and-a-half-years. 

Other candidates up for the challenge include; Liz Locke, a 24-year-old investment banker from Birmingham who likens herself to a Lamborghini, Paloma Vivanco, 29, from Peru, currently working as a senior marketing manager in London and Chris Bates, also a 24-year-old investment banker.

This year is remarkable for featuring many ‘recession-casualty' contestants who have been made redundant from their previous, high-flying posts, such as Alex Epstein, a 26-year-old unemployed head of communications and even Raleigh Addington - a 22 year-old unemployed graduate.

Despite being open to ambitious individuals from all the backgrounds and of all ages, the reality TV show has been dominated by late twenty-something business development managers and marketing executives.

Last year saw estate agent Philip Taylor from Durham fired in week seven for being ‘too arrogant', and Series Three gave us 27-year-old financial advisor Jadine Johnson from Harrow.

Ms Johnson was ‘fired' in week nine after suffering from emotional problems, having been separated from her family for so long. Lord Sugar was said to have ‘deeply regretted' the situation.

Though The Apprentice has seen a number of estate agents - including two in the first series alone - compete, as well as a handful of property developers and financial advisors, this is the first time a mortgage broker has gone for the £100,000 top job.