Lord Alan Sugar's search for a young apprentice is over after he awarded Dearne youngster Ashleigh Porter-Exley £25,000 to kick-start her business career.
Ashleigh, 17, of Swinton, beat off stiff competition from 11 other candidates to be crowned the winner of this year's Young Apprentice.
She said she was ecstatic when Lord Sugar announced her as the winner and will use the money to set up a business in either property management or accountancy.
She told the Chronicle: "I felt numb, totally ecstatic. It still hasn't sunk in yet. I would have been happy either way - Lucy was just as deserving as me, and I just felt privileged to be there.
"Myself and Andrew both got to the semi finals, so I think that's certainly proof that our northern charm helped us through."
Ashleigh, who is studying business and admin, and taking an evening accountancy course, applied for the show after watching it with friends, but said she never 'in a million years' thought she would get through the audition stages, never mind win.
The former Wath Comprehensive pupil added: "I loved every moment of it. Some of my favourite parts would be making such concrete strong friendships with the other candidates. I also loved meeting Labrinth and swimming with the sharks, which were two of the treats I went on as prizes for winning some of the tasks."
Ashleigh said her favourite task was when her team had to create an afternoon tea room and the end task, which involved creating a sports brand for a global market.
She added: "I love a fast-paced, intense challenge and I think the team spirit and determination on both of those tasks made them even more enjoyable.
"I think the fact I never claimed I knew everything made me stand out from the others - I am very much a ‘say it how it is’ type of person. There's no point in beating about the bush. Also, I think the fact that I am a grafter stood out for me, and Lord Sugar respected that."
She described Lord Sugar as inspirational, and said his sidekicks Karren Brady and Nick Hewer took all the candidates under their wings throughout the whole series.
She added: "He's firm but fair and he's also very witty. "Karren is amazing, she looks pristine 24/7 and Nick had me in stitches every time he opened his mouth."
She enjoyed working with the other contestants, but said some people clashed more than others.
"I think that's expected when everyone is fighting for the same thing and there a such huge personalities in the mix," she said.
"All of the candidates were so passionate about the competition, and we were all really good at leaving what happened on task, on task.
"I got on with all the candidates. We all learnt to deal with each other's bad habits, and we had so much fun together. We were kind of like a dysfunctional family."
She said it was strange watching herself on the television, but was able to laugh at herself.
Announcing she was hired, Lord Sugar told Ashleigh: "I've seen you take over tasks during the course of the last seven weeks and sometimes bring them through. I've seen you controlling what's going on and it's been a great privilege to have had you here in this process."
Lord Sugar said he chose Ashleigh as the winner for her 'sheer and utter graft'.
