MSN's official The Apprentice special (Image © BBC)
by Lorna Cooper, TV Editor

"You're Fired!" - Alan Sugar's Top Quotes

The Apprentice, the series that gives a unique insight into the competitive world of business, is back with the formidable Sir Alan Sugar at its helm. One of Britain's most successful entrepreneurs, the "East End boy made good" has worked hard to get where he is today. Brought up in a council flat in London, he says: "My good news/bad news approach to business has earned me a reputation for being blunt but you’ve got to have what it takes to make it in business."

'Blunt' is putting it mildly; his frank boardroom confrontations are now a legendary aspect of the show as this exchange with a series one contestant demonstrates: Paul Torrisi - "I am a Roman Catholic and as God is my witness, I shook her hand outside." Sir Alan Sugar - "Yeah? Well, I'm Jewish and I couldn't care less."

The show as a whole has given us some memorable one-liners and phrases - who can forget Nargis Ara's from series two: "Did you know there were six million cats in the UK alone and that most of them are in London?" I still crack up thinking of that one. However, it's Sir Alan Sugar who will often astound which is why we've gathered some of his best quotes in our gallery below.

The Apprentice, Wednesdays, 9pm on BBC1

Alan Sugar's official Apprentice picture
Sir Alan Sugar gets ready for The Apprentice
Sir Alan Sugar in his office
Sir Alan Sugar of The Apprentice fame
Sir Alan Sugar with contestants from series four of The Apprentice
Sir Alan Sugar in a typical pose
Sir Alan Sugar after The Apprentice winner of 2007 was announced
Sir Alan Sugar poses with his car
Sir Alan Sugar with The Apprentice candidates of 2007
Sir Alan Sugar after announcing The Apprentice winner of 2006
Sir Alan Sugar at the launch of The Apprentice 2008
Sir Alan Sugar and Adrian Chiles at the launch of The Apprentice 2008
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