I got tipsy on The Apprentice like axed co-star Reece Donnelly – Lord Sugar has very strict booze rules
A LEGENDARY Apprentice star has admitted he knocked back a few bevvies on a flight to South Africa – like axed co-star Reece Donnelly.
Former market trader Tom Skinner appeared on the boardroom hit in 2019 and was celebrated for his iconic “bosh” catchphrase.
The mattress mogul’s loyal fans were left gutted in week nine, after finding himself on the receiving end of Lord Sugar’s finger as he barked: “You’re fired!”
However before he was flung into the backseat of the dreaded black cab, the larger-than-life businessman – and his fellow contestants – were whisked off to South Africa.
After the team were tasked with selling safari tickets, in a desperate bid to bag Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment.
But the modern-day Del Boy – famed for scoffing down roast dinners for breakfast – revealed he guzzled down a few glasses en route to the sun-kissed destination.
It comes after we exclusively revealed Theatre school boss Reece was kicked off the reality show after getting too drunk on a flight to Dubai.
The Glasgow lad, 26, was so intoxicated by the time he landed that it was deemed unsafe for him to take part and he was sent packing.
Thomas only had a few, he told the Scottish Sun: “When I flew out to South Africa to film a task for the show I was drinking red wine the whole way there.
“I enjoyed myself to be fair but I’m scared of flying.
“I enjoyed it so I don’t know what happened to that other fella Reece who got flung off the show.”
The businessman went on to describe the strict booze ban on the BBC hit and revealed contestants were forbidden from leaving the approved cast accommodation in London.
He added: “There’s no alcohol in there.
“All I was doing was cooking everyone a bit of dinner.
“I made chilli con carne one night, fry-up the next night.”
Born in Romford, Essex, Tom has been trading on markets around Essex, London and Sussex since he was 16, a profession passed down from his dad.
Telly fave Tom also owns furniture firm Bosh Beds – named after his catchphrase – and puts his rising popularity down to the fact he is an influencer people can finally relate to.
Following his stint on The Apprentice the Essex lad has forged a successful media career including appearances on 8 out of 10 Cats, Celebrity MasterChef and Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel.
Tom’s comments come after we revealed axed Apprentice star Reece is set to appear in the final of the show.
We previously revealed he was kicked off the race to be Lord Sugar’s apprentice after getting too drunk on a flight to Dubai.
Theatre school boss Reece, 26, was so intoxicated by the time he landed that it was deemed unsafe for him to take part and he was sent packing.
Fans had been left wondering if show bosses would attempt to delete any trace of Reece, from Cambuslang, after his shock exit.
But we can confirm he is included as part of the final’s montage and highlights package.
Following his exit from the show, a TV insider told the Scottish Sun: “The Apprentice has never had anything quite like this happen before.
“It’s the first one someone has been shown the door in the contest by someone other than Lord Sugar.
“But producers take health and safety extremely seriously and have a duty of care to all the candidates.
“Having him take part in a task when he was unfit to do so was something they simply couldn’t contemplate.”
Viewers tonight witnessed Reece excitedly heading to the airport with the other candidates but was then never seen again.
During his exit interviews he stuck to the line that it was down to his health.
His bizarre absence was only brought up at the end by Lord Sugar who curtly told the remaining contestants: “As you know Reece wasn’t able to take part in the task and has subsequently left the process.”
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