APPRENTICE winner Michelle Massey has laughed off rumours of romance with fellow contestants or rugby stars.

And she said that she remains close to her Jehovah's Witness parents, despite the impression given in the TV show.

The single businesswoman, who has just signed a €100,000-a-year contract with Bill Cullen, said that she's focused on her burgeoning career at the Glencullen group where she will be entering the company's new e-business section.

Michelle (28) dismissed suggestions of a relationship with former competitor Jamie Moran.

"He's one of the people in the group that I get on well with -- there's a few of us that hang out," she said.

"Last week I was snowed in. Jamie lives up near me -- so I asked him to take me to the supermarket. He's the only person I know who has a four-wheel drive.

"So yes, we were in Marks and Spencer together, but no we are not together."

The former model was also spotted chatting to Irish rugby star Denis Leamy on a night out, but said that there was nothing in it.

"The whole team was in Krystle one night -- I was chatting to a few of them. But I'm single," she said.

English-born Michelle, who arrived in Ireland in 2001, said that she recently split from her boyfriend of two years, Peter.

And she said that she is just finding her feet as a single lady, living in an apartment with her friends.

"I was in a relationship when I entered the house and had a very trusting boyfriend, things unfortunately broke down after the two months apart and I am now single and trying to get used to it," she said.

During the interview round, the young saleswoman from Peterborough revealed that she had left home aged 15 when she clashed with her parents over their religious beliefs.

"I chose to leave home at a very young age, it was made out to be very negative but I wanted it that way," she said.

"I wanted to go clubbing and be a teenager and it was against their religion to do those things."

And although she took jobs dancing in clubs and even entered a contest to present on Playboy TV, she said she has no regrets.

"I'm not ashamed," she said. "I've put it all behind me now. I've become a serious businessperson -- this is what I want to do."

Michelle saw off Wexford marketing co-ordinator Niamh McDonald (23) to secure the coveted job. Niamh, the youngest of seven children, said that she has learned a lot from the competition.

"I've learned not to be beige, bland and boring," she laughed. "I've learned to be a bit tougher, to take criticism and to not let it get to me."

"Michelle stood out from the start," she added. "There was no rivalry between us. Even at the end it was a direct competition."

Bill Cullen said that there was not much separating the final two contestants.

"This has been one of the closest we've seen," he said. "Michelle has 10 years' experience. She did her A Levels at 17 and off she went -- she has the benefit of experience, no doubt about it."

clairemurphy@herald.ie

- Claire Murphy