New apprentice will be Cullen's next 'hangman'
WINNING FUTURE: Sidekick Brian reveals role that awaits winner
THE RIGHT STUFF: Brian with Bill Cullen and Jackie Lavin
Thursday October 02 2008
THE Apprentice boss Bill Cullen's original understudy has warned the winner of TV3's hit show that they can expect to be "a hangman".
But Brian Purcell, who was Cullen's right-hand man for four years, said that the Renault tycoon "was a fantastic mentor" and he is proud to be his "sidekick" on the show.
He told the Herald today that the show's winner should not expect to be allowed to dwell on their glory and will instead be put to the test in real life.
"I was his apprentice for four years and, as a result, I know what it takes to get the job done," he explained.
But while Bill might come across as gruff and ruthless on TV, Brian says there is a lighter side, too.
"For me, Bill was always at the end of a mobile phone. He was a fantastic mentor.
"I would be one of his closest confidants," he said.
Brian is senior marketing communications director in Bill's company, Glencullen Group, as well as a partner with PR and communications company, Insight Consultants.
But, despite his own highly successful career, he says: "I've no problem being known as his sidekick on the show.
"People we've worked with know me as his right-hand man. Usually, it would be 'send Purcell in first'. I was kind of his hangman anyway."
Speaking about Monday night's episode, which saw the eviction of Donegal sales manager Derek Ramsey, Brian says the right person was fired.
You're fired
"The girls are rocking the show so the guys have a lot of catching up to do," he said.
Ramsey heard the dreaded words "you're fired" after cross-contaminating the launch of an Electronic Arts computer game with Adidas signs.
"The EA people went ballistic. They went nuts, it was car-crash TV. Walking in you would think it was an Adidas gig. It was a bloody disaster," noted Brian.
However, he rejected the suggestion that Bill Cullen made the same mistake by openly driving a Bentley on the show.
Although Cullen relinquished his control of Renault Ireland in November, he must maintain the brand for 12 months.
His showrooms sell 25pc of all Renault cars in Ireland but he moves around in a Bentley on the show.
Brian denied this was akin to the Derek's rookie mistake.
"Bill always wanted to have a Bentley. It's also used to portray a similar image to that you see of Alan Sugar coming up the driveway."
"Candidates are all driven in Renault Espace cars. Bill usually drives a Renault Koleos. The Bentley is normally just a weekend car," explained Brian.
- Kevin Doyle
