Aoibheann Walsh is the second candidate to be axed from this year’s series of the BBC show after losing a battle of wills in the boardroom with Amber Rose Badrudin and Nadia Suliaman.
Her elimination comes hot on the heels of Emma Rothwell’s elimination, who was the first person to leave the competition last week.
Self made hair and beauty salon owner Aoibheann, from County Donegal, heard the dreaded words’you’re fired’ from Lord Alan Sugar on Thursday evening following a disastrous foray into the music industry.
Week two saw the remaining entrepreneurs creating their own virtual pop stars, but not everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet.
Each group were tasked with creating their own virtual pop star avatar, recording and producing their own song with a music video.
A digitally altered and remarkably younger looking Lord Sugar explained to the candidates that the team with the most revenue would be crowned winners of the task.
Aoibheann Walsh has become the second candidate to be axed from this year’s series of the BBC show
Self made hair and beauty salon owner Aoibheann, from County Donegal, heard the dreaded words of ‘you’re fired’ from Lord Alan Sugar on Thursday evening
She became the second casualty after losing a battle of wills in the boardroom with Amber Rose Badrudin and Nadia Suliaman
Amber Rose took on the role of project manager yet again and came up with the brand Fred & Nadz, before getting to work on hip-hop inspired track Tables Are Turning.
But Aoibheann’s decision to embellish it with AI enhanced vocals would ultimately be her downfall.
There was more disharmony in the ranks as power crazed Amber Rose labelled outspoken team member Nadia ‘disruptive’ – prompting a spat that would spill over into the boardroom.
Meanwhile Anisa spearheaded brand Bami, but their disjointed piano led tune won few admirers during a subsequent pitch to bemused investors.
Indeed, a launch party held to seduce potential partners ended badly, with Frederick corrected on his pronunciation of ‘Alpha Romeo’ and Anisa discovering her successful procurement of a £250,000, four year sponsorship deal came with a catch.
It was an exasperated Lord Sugar to inform her that an agreed 12-month get out clause meant the sponsor might only be liable for £50,000 of the agreed fee.
Fred & Nadz ultimately got three brands to invest £112,000 in sponsorship deals, while Bami got £215,000.
Amber-Rose brought back Aoibheann and Nadia Suliaman, but it was Aoibheann who had to go after taking the fall for their track’s awful AI enhanced vocals.
Week two saw the remaining entrepreneurs creating their own virtual pop stars, but not everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet
A digitally altered and remarkably younger looking Lord Sugar explained to the candidates that the team with the most revenue would be crowned winners of the task
Each group were tasked with creating their own virtual pop star avatar, recording and producing their own song with a music video
‘I have already identified a gap in the market, secured patents, and developed prototypes; what I need now is an investor like Lord Sugar to amplify the reach of my products.’
An unimpressed Lord Sugar said: ‘Aoibheann, one of the big mistakes being made here was digitising the voice, which put a lot of people off…
‘On balance, Aoibheann, I don’t think in the last two tasks I’ve actually heard much from you or see you do much.
‘So, I’m sorry to say, Aoibheann, you’re fired.’
The salon owner was devastated with his choice, and after the obligatory walk to the waiting taxi, admitted: ‘I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t really get the opportunity to shine.
‘I do wish I did speak out a little more and if I did, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now.’
Ultimately, it was Aoibheann who had to go and deciding to use AI enhanced vocals on her brand’s promotional track
The salon owner was devastated with his choice, and after the obligatory walk to the waiting taxi, admitted: ‘I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t really get the opportunity to shine’
‘I do wish I did speak out a little more and if I did, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now,’ she added
Before heading on the show, Aoibheann explained why she deserved to win Lord Sugar’s investment.
She said: ‘Like him, I have achieved my success through hard work and perseverance alone.
‘This is highlighted due to my proven track record of success in one of the most lucrative industries.
‘I can present a business model that maximises profit potential while minimising risk.
‘I have already identified a gap in the market, secured patents, and developed prototypes; what I need now is an investor like Lord Sugar to amplify the reach of my products.’
Speaking about her business plan, she said: ‘I have designed a unique patented utility belt specifically for hairdressers, makeup artists, and costume designers on the go.
‘In my experience within the beauty and hair industry, I noticed a significant problem: the tools that artists typically wear are often not functional, ergonomic, or aesthetically appealing, nor was there any focus on hygiene.
‘This realisation drove me to create a tool belt that is not only ergonomic, but also enhances the entire creative process.’
Watch The Apprentice on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One or stream it on iPlayer.
The 19th series of The Apprentice returned to our screens last month
The Apprentice 2025: Meet the Candidates
AMBER-ROSE BADRUDIN
Occupation: Owner, Convenience Store
Location: London
ANISA KHAN
Occupation: Owner, Pizza Company
Location: London
AOIBHEANN WALSH
Occupation: Owner, Hair and Beauty Salon
Location: County Donegal
CARLO BRANCATI
Occupation: Hair Transplant Consultant
Location: Middlesborough
CHISOLA CHITAMBALA
Occupation: Owner, Virtual Assistant Company
Location: Essex
DEAN FRANKLIN
Occupation: Owner, Air Conditioning Company
Location: Essex
EMMA ROTHWELL
Occupation: Owner, Online Gift Store
Location: Originally from Lancashire, now based in Essex
EMMA STREET
Occupation: Corporate Project Manager
Location: London
FREDERICK AFRIFA
Occupation: Motivational Speaker & Former Athlete
Location: Milton Keynes
DR. JANA DENZEL
Occupation: Cosmetic Dentist
Location: London
JONNY HEAVER
Occupation: Owner, Tutoring Company
Location: Originally from Kent, now based in Liverpool
JORDAN DARGUN
Occupation: Animation Entrepreneur
Location: Dublin
KEIR SHAVE
Occupation: Owner, Telemarketing Company
Location: Leeds
LIAM SNELLIN
Occupation: Owner, Workwear Brand
Location: Essex
MAX ENGLAND
Occupation: Senior Account Manager and Former Tennis Player
Location: Surrey
MELICA MOSHIRI
Occupation: Owner, Tech Recruitment Company
Location: West Sussex
MIA COLLINS
Occupation: Meal Prep Entrepreneur
Location: Originally from Cheltenham, currently based in London
NADIA SULIAMAN
Occupation: Owner, Knightsbridge Salon Chain
Location: Originally from Swansea, currently based in London