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The Apprentice winner Dean Franklin breaks silence on victory – and reveals exactly how often he speaks to Lord Sugar
Dean also admitted that he 'knew' he'd always win the show
THE Apprentice winner Dean Franklin has opened up on being crowned champion for the first time after storming to victory on the BBC show.
Dean became the first male champion on the show since 2017 after impressing Lord Alan Sugar with his air conditioning business.
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After a show-stopping final episode, Lord Sugar beckoned the words "you're hired" to Dean after he beat off impressive competition from show runner-up Anisa Khan.
Now, in an exclusive interview with The Sun, Dean has revealed how he knew he'd "always win" and how close he is with Lord Sugar since his victory.
Dean said: "I've always said to my family and friends I'm gonna get on that show and I'm gonna win it.
"I've always been that confident and I didn't apply to just be on the show - I've never done anything TV before.
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"I've not signed up to the fame, I wanted to win the show and I wanted to be Lord Sugar's next business partner."
Despite his confidence from the outset, Dean confessed it was a culture shock when he first began filming and admitted he felt uncomfortable around the cameras when recording first began.
The businessman told The Sun: "I think it took me a while to get settled in.
"I was probably not used to the cameras and stuff because that was a massive shock to me, being in front of the cameras and having the mic shoved right under your nose when you're speaking.
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"I'm not one to be on social media in front of the camera, so
yeah the camera thing was a big thing for me but you had to deal with it."
But it's a good think Dean stuck at it and persevered as he managed to work his way to glory.
He is now firmly in business with Lord Sugar and confessed he has already begun to swap messages with the mogul - with the pair being in touch on a very regular basis.
However, Dean did admit it is still "scary" each time he sees Lord Sugar pop up on his phone with some news or advice.
Dean recalled: "He rings me up, he WhatsApp's me which is still surreal and quite scary but it's all good.
"We've got a lot of things planned out for the future of the business and I'm excited, I can't wait.
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"We're changing a few things here and there but all for the better.
"We are dealing with a lot, but we're all in it together.
"If we play our cards right, you know, next year, I know he called me a dope, but we could be multi millionaires."
Moreover, Dean confessed that his cheeky chappie persona and similar humour to Alan was another major reason they have gelled so well.
The entrepreneur confessed that, like Alan, he tried to crack jokes where possible throughout filming in order to keep everything as light-hearted as possible.
The TV winner said: "I was just myself, that's who I am.
"I always try and crack a joke where I can.
"In these serious situations, the only way I know how to deal with that is by just having a bit of banter and making some jokes and try to loosen up a bit
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"I think Lord Sugar liked that as well because he cracks his jokes but he also likes someone who will tell it to him how it is.
"That's what I think I've done, I didn't beat around the bush."
The Apprentice winners who have quit
By Conor O'Brien
Since The Apprentice launched in 2005, Lord Alan Sugar has crowned several winners.
In 2011, the prize changed from a job working under Lord Sugar to a £250,000 investment partnership.
While some past winners work with Lord Sugar to this day, other collaborations have long ended.
Here is a look at some of the winners who have quit working with the business giant.
- Tim Campbell: After winning the first series, Tim (who was 26 at the time) secured a position at Lord Sugar's company Amstrad on a £100,000 salary. After two years, Tim left to start a perfume business - although this was later abandoned. Since 2022, he has been back on The Apprentice as one of Lord Sugar's aides.
- Lee McQueen: Having won series four in 2008, 30-year-old Lee McQueen was assigned a position at Amscreen. He left the role after two years in July 2010.
- Yasmina Siadatan: Yasmina, who won The Apprentice in 2009, fell pregnant four months into her £100k-a-year role. She worked for Lord Sugar for 12 months but chose not to return after her maternity leave.
- Stella English: 2010 winner Stella English went on to work for Lord Sugar's Viglen after time on the BBC show. However, she walked out after 13 months of employment when told her contract would not be renewed and claimed she was just an "overpaid lackey".
- Mark Wright: Australian-born Mark won in 2014 and used the £250,000 investment to found digital marketing agency Climb Online. He parted ways with Lord Sugar in 2022, selling the business for an estimated £10million.
- Joseph Valente: Former plumber Joseph won the BBC show in 2015. However, he and Lord Sugar ultimately ended their working relationship after 18 months.
- Alana Spencer: Alana partnered up with Lord Sugar after winning in 2016. She claimed the top spot with her cake business Ridiculously Rich. The pair worked together for three years - until Alana ultimately bought out Lord Sugar.
- James White: In a one-time situation, James was one of two Apprentice winners in 2017. Three years after he won the show, Lord Sugar left the IT recruitment company, but reportedly let him keep the £250,000 investment.
- Sarah Lynn: Sweets delivery businesswoman Sarah was the other joint winner in 2017. She and Lord Sugar parted ways in September 2022.
- Carina Lepore: After winning The Apprentice in 2019, Lord Sugar put a £250,000 investment in Carina Lepore's Dough Artisan Bakehouse business. However, the pair ended their partnership in 2023.
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