Lee McQueen hired as new Apprentice

8:16am Thursday 12th June 2008

Lee McQueen revealed his first purchase would be a "new pair of shoes for the Mrs" after he was declared the surprise winner of The Apprentice.

The son of a milkman said he had to take "a deep breath" when Sir Alan Sugar told him "you're hired".

McQueen, 30, was the only candidate not to have been hauled into the boardroom.

But formidable opponent and finalist Claire Young, a senior retail worker nicknamed the Rottweiler, had been favourite to land the £100,000 job.

McQueen, a recruitment sales manager with eight GCSEs and a BTEC Diploma, was picked for the plum job despite being caught out in the early stages of the show for lying on his CV.

He said: "I'm a winner! I think I won because I delivered consistently. I'm a football fan and if you compare it to a Premier League table I'd be at the top. I delivered every time. I was consistently able to drive things forward to a positive result."

Asked what he would do with his first month's pay, he said: "I'll probably buy a new pair of shoes for the Mrs. I'm also trying to negotiate with Sir Alan to see if I can have a holiday in South Africa."

McQueen, who has been with his girlfriend Nicola for nine years, said: "I always said if I won I'd buy myself a Porsche 911. They cost around £65,000, so I won't be able to get one with my first pay cheque but maybe I should get in contact with a leasing company."

McQueen, from Princes Risborough, Bucks, added: "My mum's got no central heating in her flat. I bought it and it's mortgaged. So I think it's only right to help her with that side of things."

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