The latest contestant to be sacked on BBC One's The Apprentice has been refreshingly blunt post-firing, admitting that they "ballsed this up by over-trusting".
JD O'Brien was shown the door by boss Alan Sugar after his hands-off approach as Team Nebula's project manager proved to be his undoing in this week's crowdfunding campaign challenge. O'Brien's team raised £681 but Team Titan won with £788.
In the boardroom, O'Brien apologised for his shortcomings as project manager.
"It's not difficult for me to consider that you are responsible for the failure of this task, JD," said Sugar, "and all you have done today is admit your mistakes, and it's something that I can't ignore. JD ... you're fired."
Interesting project management strategy. #theapprentice pic.twitter.com/gE965O1lbe
— The Apprentice (@bbcapprentice) November 3, 2016
Speaking to the Press Association after his departure, O'Brien said: "With hindsight I should have micro-managed more, but I just didn't believe I needed to as [the other candidates] are supposed to be capable business people.
"And if I'd known they would make a pig's ear of it I would have taken a more hands-on approach. Again, ultimately, I was PM so have to hold my hand up for so many errors."
Fear not, JD. You can always bring out a line of motivational t-shirts… #theapprentice pic.twitter.com/trkP8cdaWY
— The Apprentice (@bbcapprentice) November 3, 2016
The beachwear company boss said he was at fault for taking his eye off the ball.
"My main strength is dealing with people. I get on with most people; I can read people and can get the best out of situations. Having said that, I ballsed this up by over-trusting so may need to work on it," he added.
