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Despite boasting that team management is one his "best business skills" a distinct failure to manage the fortunes of his half of Team Summit led to Chiles Cartwright's departure from The Apprentice last night.
The company director, 35, from Shropshire, admitted he was "gutted" as he became the first candidate to be fired from this year's series of the business talent show.
The black belt in karate met the wrath of Lord Alan Sugar after he was deemed responsible for failing to sell T-shirts during the first task.
In last night's show the contestants were split into male and female teams and asked to take on all of the sales challenges featured from the previous nine series in a bid to grab the largest profit.
The girls came out on top in the task which saw them selling an array of items from a choice of hot dogs, t-shirts and coffee, leaving the boys to face a grilling in the boardroom, and Cartwright under the cosh as the leader of the most poorly performing of two male sub-teams.
Show all 13 1 /13Where are the Apprentice winners now? Where are the Apprentice winners now? Leah Totton - Winner in 2013 Leah used her prize money to set up a cosmetic skin clinic in East London, offering anti-ageing treatments, laser hair removal and effective alternatives to surgical liposuction.
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Where are the Apprentice winners now? Ricky Martin - Winner in 2012 Ricky won over Lord Sugar with his business plan for a specialist science recruitment company.
He is the founder and managing director of Hyper Recruitment Solutions, a consultancy dedicated to science and technology industries.
PA
Where are the Apprentice winners now? Tom Pellereau - Winner in 2011 Tom became the first apprentice to win a £250,00 investment as part of a format shake-up.
Known as 'inventor Tom' on Twitter, he is at the helm of various projects.
He still has success with Stylfile, which he sold alongside Lord Sugar. He is also working on extra safe baby feeding brand Babisil, as well as a screen to prevent musicians’ ear drums from being damaged.
Tom has launched a children’s story app with his sister called Timmy Tickle.
BBC
Where are the Apprentice winners now? Stella English - Winner in 2010 Stella now works as a host on Crowd Box, the world’s first crowd funding TV channel.
In 2013 she took Lord Sugar to an employment tribunal, claiming she was treated like 'an overpaid lackey' and given menial tasks, but lost her case. The mother-of-two said afterwards she was 'ready to move on'.
Where are the Apprentice winners now? Yasmina Siadatan - Winner in 2009 Yasmina is the creative director of Start Up Loans. It aims to provide mentors and loans to 30,000 entrepreneurs and is funded by the UK Government.
She also co-owns the Mya Lacarte restaurant in Reading, which specialises in produce grown in Britain.
BBC
Where are the Apprentice winners now? Lee McQueen - Winner in 2008 Lee was infamously picked to be Lord Sugar’s apprentice despite lying on his CV about the amount of time he spent at university.
He spent two years working for Amscreen, where he became a development director in 'digital signage' and worked under Lord Sugar’s son, Simon Sugar, who was CEO.
In 2010 he set up a recruitment and training company called Raw Talent Academy based in Oxfordshire. He has also developed Talent Hub, a division of the business which specialises in experienced sales people.
Where are the Apprentice winners now? Katie Hopkins - Second runner-up in 2008 The professional rent-a-gob calls herself ‘the only candidate to say no to Sir Alan’ on her Twitter account after she was forced to withdraw from the show before the final in 2006 due to childcare problems.
After several notable appearances on daytime TV mouthing off about ‘chavvy children’s names’ and why ginger babies are ‘harder to love’, Hopkins gained her own column in The Sun.
She recently decided to put on over four stone to prove to ‘fat people’ how easy it is to lose weight if they want to.
Where are the Apprentice winners now? Simon Ambrose - Winner in 2007 Simon became one of the longest-serving apprentice winners after he was hired as a surveyor in Lord Sugar's business Amsprop Estates.
He most recently became proprietor of Hoxton Basement, a multi-purpose venue that puts on gigs, art exhibitions and private parties.
He is also a partner in Red House - 'a charming pub and dining room situated in Chelsea Green' - as well as a board member of BlueSigma Capital Ltd, which carries out investment research.
BBC/ Talkback Thames
Where are the Apprentice winners now? Michelle Dewberry - Winner in 2006 Michelle has had a diverse career since leaving the show, including writing an autobiography called 'Anything is Possible', becoming a motivational speaker and appearing on Sky News as a current affairs commentator.
She is soon to launch ‘Let’s Get Britain Working’, aimed at helping job-seekers get back into work.
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Where are the Apprentice winners now? Tim Campbell - Winner in 2005 Tim describes himself as 'The Frank Bruno of the business world' on Twitter.
In 2007 he founded social enterprise Bright Ideas Trust, which helps young people in London who aren't in employment, education or training to start their own business. In 2012 he was appointed MBE for his services to enterprise culture.
He also works as a property consultant for London-based company Estate Office in their acquisitions and investments department.
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Where are the Apprentice winners now? Luisa Zissman - Runner-up in 2013 The cupcake entrepreneur described herself as having the ‘sex appeal of Jessica Rabbit’ when she first appeared on the show, and hasn’t stopped taking full advantage of her looks ever since.
After losing out to plastic surgery pro Leah Totton, she posed for a number of lads’ magazines and tabloids before signing up to Celebrity Big Brother last month.
copyright Boundless, Jim Marks, BBC
Where are the Apprentice winners now? Raef Bjayou - 2008 contestant The distinctive former public school boy made a name for himself during the series with catch-phrases such as ‘the spoken word is my tool’.
But he has since forged a career in TV, rather than becoming a columnist, making appearances on shows such as Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Ready Steady Cook and BBC Breakfast.
In 2012, he appeared alongside fellow Apprentice star Stuart Baggs where he planned a wedding for a young couple on Channel 5’s Celebrity Wedding Planner.
Earlier this year, Raef founded Zephyr:Media, a ‘multi platform PR, arts and media portal based in Mayfair, London’.
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Where are the Apprentice winners now? Saira Khan - Runner-up in 2005 The fiery runner-up on the first series of the Apprentice became a regular face on TV for a few years afterwards, presenting the BBC’s anger management series Temper You Temper.
She also presented a number of documentaries for the BBC, including one that followed her as she tried to adopt a baby from Pakistan.
She currently runs a natural baby products company.
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He said: "I'm absolutely gutted about coming out first, I would have loved to have been in longer, but I don't really look back on things. If I woke up in the morning and someone said to me, 'You can be on The Apprentice for one episode,' I'd still take it.
"I was concerned about going out in the first week because it's not enough time to get to know people, if I could have stayed for a couple of weeks my ability would have shone through. I still feel I would have been the most credible candidate in the process, had I survived after week one."
He explained that he had been shocked by the chaos of the first week, which this year welcomed 20 candidates instead of 16.
Cartwright said: "I've been doing this a long time, but when you're put under that pressure with such a short period of time to work out how to win, it is quite daunting. It takes you back to when you were first starting out and the raw skills you needed.
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Try for free "When you're watching the TV and shouting, 'Why didn't you do that?' it's so obvious, but when you're actually in it and there are all these headless chickens running around and you're trying to gather them up into a group, it's completely different."
Show all 19 1 /19The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Mark Wright, 24, London Australian-born Mark has been recognised repeatedly for the highest revenue growth in his company, where he supports internet marketing consultants.
He has been working in sales for the digital health and fitness industries for nine years and his first job was washing cars for his dad's business.
Mark says he is easy to talk to, orgnaised and ambitious. He names his business inspirations as John D Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie and JP Morgan as they are all entrepreneurs who have built their own empires.
He said: 'I'm very, very aggressive. I will not leave the room without getting a sale.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Bianca Miller, 25, London After university, Bianca joined a major management and technology consulting firm as a human resources advisor, before launching her own business at the age of 23.
Her branding company, The Be Group, was named as one of the Startups 100 businesses of 2013. Bianca calls herself determined, ambitious and pedantic.
She said: 'I regret not becoming a scientist so I could clone myself and be more successful in half the time.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates James Hill, 26, Chesterfield James got his start in business when he set up a hand car wash, and has since launched other businesses including supplying gaming machines to bars and clubs in the UK and Ireland, and opening a restaurant and bar.
He says he is enthusiastic and energetic with a drive to succeed, but admits that he can be a bit of a know-it-all.
He said: 'Me and Lord Sugar could build an empire together. I think I am him when he was my age.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Daniel Lassman, 27, Essex Daniel used to be a footballer before running his own pub quiz company - he had a year's contract with Hornchurch FC, but it was not renewed when he got injured. He has also worked as a market trader in his family business. He says James Caan is an inspiration to him in business because of his calm and collected manner.
He said: 'I will out-sell them, I will out-class them and I will perform the best just by being me.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Katie Bulmer-Cooke, 27, Sunderland Katie has won several awards for her work as a personal trainer. She creates and markets her own work-out programmes and DVDs and has been a health and fitness expert for Argos.
She would describe herself as honest, down-to-earth and energetic.
She said: 'In business I'm like a little stealth bomber that flies under the radar and smashes the competition before they've even realised I'm here.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Lauren Riley, 28, London As a family solicitor, Lauren specialises in family law, including divorce, separation, finances and property, and says she is passionate about achieving fair outcomes for her clients.
She says she is outgoing and ambitious, and wishes that she had had the idea for Facebook.
She said: 'I'm absolutely not a shrinking violet. I'm very known for speaking my own mind.'
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The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Sanjay Sood-Smith, 27, London Sanjay is responsible for the online sales strategy of three national banking brands and previously worked as a bank manager who improved the ranking of his branch from the 900s to 30th in the space of six months.
He was put in charge of 14 London retail branches because of his success. Sanjay describes himself as practical, enthusiastic and generous, but says he can worry too much.
He said: 'If I had to choose between friendship and profit I'd choose profit. I'm not in this process to make friends with people, I'm here to win.'
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The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Roisin Hogan, 32, Dublin A chartered accountant, Roisin is following her dream to start her own business. She says she is confident, driven and creative, and being a risk taker has also made her a keen poker player in her spare time.
She said: 'Manipulate, persuade and conquer. I would identify my opponent's weaknesses and pick them off one by one.'
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The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Sarah Dales, 32, London Sarah works as an executive assistant for a top financial firm, and previously worked at Goldman Sachs, while also running her own hypnotherapy and match-making businesses.
She describes herself as hard-working, positive and tenacious, though she can repeat herself if she feels she is not being listened to. Her proudest business achievement is setting up her hypnotherapy practice on Harley Street.
She said: 'I am the pioneer and the ground breaker, and I possess all the talents to succeed.'
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The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Solomon Akhtar, 22, London Solomon works at a creative agency, but also runs his own company, a social media technology business. He has created and managed student events before, including a shop lock-in and group yacht trip around Croatia.
He calls himself enthusiastic, energetic, personable and passionate about technology and travel.
He said: 'I am from the 'ideas generation'; because of my age, I understand technology and how to turn it into a business.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Felipe Alviar-Baquero, 33, Kent Colombian-born Felipe works as a solicitor at an international law firm and was named one of the Top 100 Columbians in 2012, the same year that he was an Olympic torchbearer. Felipe describes his biggest business achievement as designing and launching a children's play area.
He is passionate about social entrepreneurship and is a trustee for a British charity supporting vulnerable children in Colombia.
He said: 'I studied law because I wanted to change the world. But my real passion is business.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Jemma Bird, 26, West Midlands Jemma rates Simon Cowell as a role model. She is a trained dancer and dance teacher and passionate about the arts.
Her proudest business achievement to date has been founding an entertainment cabaret agency, for which she scouts performers, sources bookings, produces performances and markets the business.
She said: 'I'm always the girl that nearly wins, I'm hoping this time it will be different.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Steven Ugoalah, 25, London Canadian Steven spent a year travelling the Arctic for a community development social work project with remote Inuit communities.
He now lives in London, running his own social work consultancy as well as managing a property portfolio. Steven says he is resourceful, dynamic and a great negotiator but admits he often becomes frustrated when people do not have the same high standards as him.
He said: 'I can deliver in minus 50, I can deliver in plus 10. If we went to Mars right now, I'd find a way to be excellent.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Chiles Cartwright,35, Shropshire Chiles owns a consultancy business and a building materials supplier, and before that he worked in management for international consumer brands for nine years.
He describes himself as self-motivated, loyal and committed to everything he does. Chiles also has a passion for martial arts and is a black belt in karate.
He said: 'I consider myself one of the most credible candidates in this process. I don't believe that anyone has the wealth and breadth of business acumen that I've gained over the years.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Ella Jade Bitton, 25, Hertfordshire Ella's first job was working as a fashion studio assistant for designer Jonathan Saunders. At 16, she negotiated an interior design concession stand in Harrods for her family business. Since leaving university, she has been responsible for the marketing strategy and online presence of her family's interior design company.
She said: 'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Scott McCulloch, 24, East Kilbride Scott started out with a recruitment company after leaving school and is now responsible for global strategic partnerships between clinical development companies. He has previously travelled the world to work with emerging markets in business development for clinical research.
Scott says he is determined, trustworthy and hungry to succeed. He admires the brands Pfizer and GSK, and businessmen such as Peter Jones.
He said: 'From the minute I wake up to the minute I go to sleep, making money and conducting business is on my mind.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Lindsay Booth, 29, Leicester A swimming instructor for 14 years, Lindsay is the founder of a swimming academy, which has taught hundreds of children over the past four years. She would describe herself as compassionate and ambitious.
She said: 'The other candidates will underestimate how feisty I am, and how I will fight and prove that I can get to the end.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Robert Goodwin, 25, East Sussex Robert is responsible for the global marketing of an international brand in sports nutrition and has managed a campaign for the company's largest ever advertising spend. His early jobs included being a tennis coach when he was 15 and working in his uncle's art shop.
Robert says he feels inspired by Harry Selfridge for creating market-leading retail services and brands such as Net-A-Porter for their luxurious, aspirational qualities.
He said: 'I'm fearless and if I don't shut up about something, you should just trust it's a well thought out decision.'
BBC
The Apprentice 2014: Meet the candidates Nurun Ahmed, 36, Peterborough As well as working full-time as a marketing officer, Nurun runs three businesses. She says she is thoughtful, considerate and a multi-tasker. Her proudest business achievement is setting up three small businesses within 18 months.
She said: 'I'm the type of person that doesn't take five hours to do one job, I do 20 jobs in five hours.'
BBC
The sub team took on tasks which included having a batch of t-shirts printed, but they wasted time trying to choose a suitable slogan - and then running out of time to even pick them up from the printers.
Cartwright said of his fellow candidates: "On the boys team we backed each other a lot which is quite tricky, especially in the boardroom, to make sure no one gets pushed out. I felt I had backing from everyone, but Mark (Wright) saw I was in trouble and thought he'd give me a bit more of a push."
He said it was landing the role of sub-team leader that cost him his place.
"When you're a team leader, you find a lot of other people come out of their shell. When you're choosing a leader they're all a bit quiet, and then all of a sudden they think they could do a better job of winning the task.
"As soon as we'd lost the task, I thought it would be either me or Felipe going. It puts you right in the firing line. I'd quite like not to have been in that position I guess, but I did everything I thought was right at the time. I would have done everything differently looking back, but at the time you have to make decisions and you can't regret them."
Cartwright, who was seen leading his sub team in a sprint down the street in a belated effort to also collect their t-shirts, also revealed what his business proposition for backing from Lord Sugar had been if he had won.
He said: "Ironically, it's a luxury running brand called Run GB. We did a lot of running that day, and also it would involve printing t-shirts."
The Apprentice continues tonight on BBC One at 9pm.
Additional reporting by PA
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