Ben, let me finish, you're fired

Ben, a former lookalike for rugby player Gavin Henson, has left the show

Belfast's Ben Clarke went from being a hoarse Ian Paisley to getting the order of the Sugared Boot, but at least the local lad can now take up that Sandhurst scholarship.

He became the latest candidate to be sent home after failing to make the grade as a potential apprentice for Sir Alan Sugar on the BBC One show.

As well as his repeated use of the phrase "Let me finish" his military opportunity was a card often played by the 22-year-old.

During his stint on the show the former Gavin Henson lookalike displayed a dazzling array of talents.

He helped design gym equipment and make soap, possibly using more soft soap with his colleagues would have helped him go further in the contest, but then the competition was cut-throat.

Possibly his impatience cost him more than his onscreen arrogance, though no-one could say the trainee stockbroker lacked confidence.

"I've come up with a bloody great product," he declared in the gym equipment episode, "I've actually shocked myself here."

Modest about his looks too, in that episode he donned the lycra to model the kit.

"It makes perfect sense that I do the modelling… Out of the men, I'd say I probably am the best-looking," he said.

BEST OF BEN Gym bunny Ben Ben behaving badly Ben on being fired

He showed a more relaxed side, donning a parrot costume for a cereal challenge, but it is the showdowns he'll be remembered for.

His terrier-like attitude in boardroom earned him the tag of being a bully, but the bravado did not follow through with performance on the tasks he led.

Ben, the son of an auctioneer in Belfast, failed to spot three hidden gems among the antiques his team were tasked with selling.

He was fired after his team lost a task selling baby accessories at a trade show in London's Earl's Court.

Ben found himself in the boardroom with fellow contestants Debra Barr and James McQuillan, who was team manager.

Sir Alan Sugar said he initially saw a "bright light" of potential in Ben, but the spark had "gone out".

In delivering his verdict, Sir Alan told Ben: "You think quite a lot of yourself.

"You over-hype yourself a little bit but at certain stages in this process I was seeing some quite bright light at the end of a long tunnel, but I feel that the light at the end of the tunnel has gone out quite frankly."

Speaking on the Apprentice: You're Fired show on BBC2, in a rare display of modesty Ben explained that he had found the experience rewarding and had learnt a lot about himself.

"Too young, too immature, I think I still have a lot to learn," he said, but added that a £100,000 a year job with Sir Alan was worth fighting for.

He also explained that his scholarship to Sandhurst was open to 2011, so the Belfast man could still end up following the colours.

He explained that he had not yet taken up the opportunity because the year's study and three years' army service was "a big commitment".

"Like most people aged 22, I still don't have a bloody clue about what I want to do with my life," he said.

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