It is the show where 16- and 17-year-olds hone their bargaining, bullshitting and – possibly – business skills. The place where language is routinely mangled and there is a huge amount of eye rolling. But this year's Young Apprentice has also brought plenty of entertaining moments.
Sadly, some of the most watchable candidates left the competition early. Who could forget deluded Mahamed, booted out despite believing that "everyfink was my idea", before sulking in the back of Lord Sugar's Rolls-Royce. It's a hard life for these wannabe teen tycoons/comedians who have demonstrated an ability to not only snatch victory from the jaws of defeat – but also fail in spectacular ways.
We've seen the boys try (and fail) to capitalise on the obesity epidemic with their ice-cream delivery idea in week one, while the following episode saw Atomic rah Harry M became obsessed with hippos. In week four's over 50s task, Haya put herself forward as project manager because she had once spoken to an old person, and Lewis's poor articulation attracted Nick Hewer's chagrin. Gbemi was fired for her substandard, erm, design in week five.
So who is left in this year's Young Apprentice and how likely are they to succeed? Forget Karren Brady and Nick Hewer – his appointment to Countdown, the bastion of daytime telly for the over 60s, says it all. As people in roughly the right age bracket – I'm 19, my friends Charlie and Frank are 18 and 16 – here are our opinions. And while we all broadly agree that the candidates this year don't really represent our age group brilliantly (Harry M's bravado-filled rants and Zara's autocratic tendencies in particular border on the satirical), secretly we'd love to be living it up in their Grand Designs-worthy mansion, getting dressed up every day and driving around the City in circles or just shouting down our phones as we hold them at an angle. It's pretty inspirational, this reality TV.
The verdict on the final seven
James McCullagh –Described repeatedly as a "bulldozer" by Harry M, James would make the worst business partner as he starts every sentence with "It was my idea!" His concept of "rainforest chic" in week three would have been more relevant on "I'm A Celebrity. James has the potential to win but his immaturity may ruin his chances.
Haya Al Dlame – "No one intimidates me because I KNOW I am better than them," boasted Haya haughtily at the outset. She's failed to shine, however, and her obsession with the piemaker in week four was disasterous. Is it pure luck she's still in the process? If her team had lost the OAP task then she would have been long MIA.
Harry Maxwell – With his Jack Wills looks this thinking girl's Frankie Cocozza can usually be found among Twitter's trending topics on a Monday evening. Brash, patronising and hugely arrogant, like Zoe Plummer of series one, he can generate his own business success without the £25,000 prize money.
Zara Brownless – An able entrepreneur, cocksure Zara's downfall could be her lack of scruples. She's 70% brilliant, 30% baffling, she could be a winner if she applied as much logic as she does hairspray.
Hayley Forrester – She's always starting illogical arguments with the other contestants, and I've barely noticed her bring any relevant points to discussions. If this dullard wins then I will eat my calculator.
Harry Hitchens – "I'm not focused on making friends" was the opening gambit from Harry H, yet he has proved to be charming nonetheless. Has a likable personality and can definitely lead. But does he lack the spark of previous winners?
Lizzie Magee – Her best moment was her deodorant presentation last week, which Nick picked up on too. Unfortunately this is pretty much all we've seen the guitarstrap designer-cum-dog breeder do up to now. Where is her business brain?!
