Sir Alan's sidekick to leave show

Margaret Mountford will not be involved in the next Apprentice series

Sir Alan Sugar's Apprentice sidekick Margaret Mountford has said she will leave the show.

Ms Mountford, 56, from Holywood in County Down, has quit after five years to concentrate on her academic studies of ancient Egyptian manuscripts.

She was Sir Alan's eyes and ears alongside Nick Hewer, with the pair reporting back to their boss on how contestants did in their tasks.

"I enjoyed the Apprentice, it was a hard to say goodbye," she said.

"But I am working on a PhD in papyrology and I would like to concentrate on finishing this before I need a Zimmer frame to get on the platform to receive it.

"It has been an amazing experience, and certainly not one that I will ever forget."

Ms Mountford was educated in Belfast before going to university in England where she became a solicitor. She is studying for her PhD at at University College London.

She first met Sir Alan in the 1980s when she was hired to advise him on legal issues with his firm, Amstrad.

Sir Alan said: "Margaret has been a highly regarded colleague and friend for over 25 years.

"Five years ago she agreed to put her studies on hold for the first series.

"None of us expected the show to be such a big hit, but now, five years later, she really wants to finish her masters.

"We will miss her, but I respect her wishes and want to take this opportunity to thank her for the great contribution she has made to the series and of course wish her the best of luck with her studies."

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