Simon Ambrose and Kristina Grimes are the last two Apprentice canidates standing after Katie Hopkins turned down a place in the final.

Sir Alan Sugar offered Hopkins a place in the BBC One show’s final but she bowed out at the last minute.

The tycoon fired Lohit Kalburgi and had to choose two candidates to go through to the final from Ambrose, Grimes, Hopkins and Tre Azam.

He asked for Hopkins’ assurance that if she won she would take the show’s prize of an apprenticeship with Sir Alan and she agreed.

He said: "Katie, I don't want to lose my faith in mankind. You're in the final, you're staying. Just remember the things you've promised me."

He fired Azam but minutes later he noticed Katie's glum expression and said: "You don't look like a lady who's just been told you've entered the final. There's two people here that are very employable. Everyone would appreciate it if you spoke up."

The 31-year-old mother replied: "I'm making a decision without having the courtesy to speak to the people who care for my children. It's a risk, it's a discourtesy to my parents."

Sir Alan said: "I haven't got time to wait for you to make a phone call."

After a dramatic pause, Katie responded: "I don't want to make a fool of you or me. I think it's more important to get the courtesy to have my plans in place, so I'll have to stand down."

Next week's final will now feature Ambrose, 27, a Cambridge graduate and internet entrepreneur from London, and Grimes, 36, a single mum and pharmaceutical manager originally from Wicklow, Ireland and now living in Harrogate.

The winner will be paid £100,000 to work with Sir Alan.

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