Leading Team Phoenix, the bridal shop owner looked assured throughout, given that this week's task in Dublin Airport had a retail theme - – to design a concept and outlet for an airport discount store.

She discovered in the boardroom however that her team won only one of the five categories – that of the concept – with her team's shoddy presentation to blame for their all-round poor showing. They were let off the hook for a finish, however, as their opponents mistakenly used a branded name for their shop.

This meant the spotlight fell on Charleville man Paddy O'Dea and his colleagues in Team Dynamo. After a prolonged bout of back stabbing and recrimination among the "team-mates", Bill ultimately pointed his firing finger at the likeable salesman for his rather passive role in the whole affair.

So Paddy bows out and Brenda and her team mates breath collective sighs of relief, before bracing themselves for battle once more in the bid to be Bill's apprentice.

The Apprentice is broadcast on Mondays at 9pm on TV3.