'Bully Ben' survives boardroom battle

Ben Clarke is described as a rebellious stockbroker

Ben Clarke, the Belfast-based trainee stockbroker aiming to become Sir Alan Sugar's next apprentice, suffered a setback on Wednesday night when he was drawn into a boardroom battle for the second time in a row.

The 22-year-old former Gavin Henson lookalike is aiming to win the latest series of the BBC hit in which young business brains fight it out over weekly tasks in a bid to win a coveted job in Sir Alan's business empire.

But, once again on the losing side, Ben was brought into the boardroom by team leader Paula Jones to explain his role in their failure to win a soap-selling task. And that's where it got dirty.

"Ben became completely unnecessarily aggressive towards me," said Paula.

"I think he took it personally that I took him into the boardroom. He accepted no responsibility whatsoever and just behaved like a child, like a bully.

It is quite clear that this decision for him not to be sacked was purely for television value

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"He's very, very opinionated about everybody he comes into contact with and if you're going to behave in that way you've got be pretty slick yourself and he just isn't.

"The lad's a no-mark. And it won't surprise me if he gets fired fairly soon, because nobody likes a bully.

"And my brother can't wait to meet him..."

Ben's behaviour has got Apprentice fans debating on message boards as to whether he has got what it takes to win over Sir Alan.

Critics say he is too aggressive, saying he will "rip people limb from limb" to get the job.

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One contributor to the programme's website said he was a "complete plank", adding "it is quite clear that this decision for him not to be sacked was purely for television value".

Love him or loathe him, Ben is now assured of another week to prove himself. But does he have what it takes to keep Sir Alan sweet?