THERE will be more tears, tantrums and bloodshed in the boardroom as 16 hapless hopefuls try to catch the eye of Lord Sugar in the new series of The Apprentice.

But this year the prize is not a job with a six-figure salary, but a start-up fund of £250,000 for a new business jointly owned by Lord Sugar and the winner.

Of the new challenge he says: “I will be looking for a person with some expertise who can demonstrate they have a good understanding of all facets of business, so as to take this venture to another level.”

We asked some leading local business people what advice they would give the contestants in the seventh series of the reality TV show.

Nicola Lowe, managing partner of Harold G Walker solicitors based in Bournemouth says: “You have got to be able to diversify in order to survive in business. I would look for a well rounded person who can bring a lot of different skills to the boardroom.”

Nigel Hedges, president of the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce says: “Self awareness is one of the most important qualities. That’s why I like my children to watch shows like The Apprentice.

“I always say what you see is what you get from me. People buy from people they like – so my advice is be nice.”

Darren Broad who runs Potential Plus, an international training consultancy based in Bournemouth says: “It is important to be confident but not arrogant and there is a fine line between the two. Many contestants cross that line because they are under pressure.

“It is also important to be well-planned and organised.”

But in the Apprentice, losing is not always such a bad thing. Here’s what happened to those memorable contenders who got the bullet.

The Apprentice begins on BBC One on Tuesday, May 10.

Alpha-female

Alpha-female Hopkins has only one regret – and it’s not insulting northerners or walking away after making the final – but the fact her private life was dragged through the press.

She was accused of wrecking two marriages, and pictures emerged of her romping in a field with her now husband Mark Cross.

Although she was fired from her job at the Met Office just after The Apprentice was aired, Hopkins has cultivated a media career with appearances on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Here! and Question Time. She also runs her own consultancy firm.

“I have a Forces background, have worked largely with men and being direct has always worked best for me.”

"Slave to my emotions"

Azam was on the winning team more times than anyone but will be remembered chiefly for his temper outbursts.

He says it made him a lot more self-aware.

“I realised I was more of a slave to my emotions than I thought,” he says. “But I still have a temper on me, don’t get me wrong!

“The most important thing I learnt was to delegate and that when you’ve got a good team behind you anything can be achieved.”

He admits his business consultancy work was affected by the reputation he garnered on the show, but says he’s managed to flourish with other ventures including selling a new computer gaming console.

“I probably had a better credibility before I went on the show but you have to be prepared for the good, the bad and the ugly,” he says.

“It’s all about how you use it. I used it to the best of my advantage.”

Badger vs Blonde

Badger went head to head with Dewberry in the final of the second series – a face-off which was dubbed ‘The Badger versus The Blonde’.

Although The Blonde clinched victory, straight-talking, hard-selling Badger won the popularity contest.

But far from feeling bitter about not winning, Badger claims The Apprentice was “the best thing I’ve ever done”.

“Doing the show taught me to push myself, to go out of my comfort zone.

“I’d spent a big part of my career in financial services, and I’d got as far as I thought I was going to get to. It gave me a kick up the backside.

“The moment I finished, I went straight into starting my own businesses and I’ve never looked back since.”

Memorable catchphrases

Perhaps the most memorable contestant ever to have faced Lord Sugar in the boardroom was the 21-year-old communications executive who came out with phrases such as, “Everything I touch turns to sold”; “I’m not a one-trick pony, I’m not a 10-trick pony, I’m a whole field of ponies – and they’re literally all running towards this job”.

But his business tactics were often naive or underhand, once nearly getting him into a punch-up with fellow contestant Chris Bates and causing Lord Sugar to say on firing him: “I don’t believe a word you say. I’m annoyed that you were allowed this far through the process.”

Baggs says, “On my gravestone it might say, ‘That idiot from The Apprentice’ but it will at least say something better than ‘Johnny from a council house who had a pop at me on the Tube once’.”