Ribble Valley teenager to face Sir Alan Sugar on Junior Apprentice (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ribble Valley teenager to face Sir Alan Sugar on Junior Apprentice

9:10am Wednesday 12th May 2010

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A RIBBLE Valley teenager who shears sheep to make extra cash is starring on Alan Sugar's new Apprentice show.

Tim Ankers, who set up his first business at the age of 11 selling eggs to neighbours, is one of 10 teenagers bidding for the £25,000 prize on the Junior Apprentice, which starts tonight.

It is a new take on the popular BBC1 one show, with all the competitors aged 16 and 17.

The 17-year-old, a former head boy at Bowland High School and current Clitheroe Grammar sixth form pupil, outlined his first business: "We had a field with nothing in it.

"I bought some chickens and sold eggs to local people and turned a profit.

"I also shear people's sheep. I get a pound a sheep."

In his audition video which helped Tim beat 28,000 applicants to make it onto the show, Tim said: "I live in quite an affluent area and I see people all around with expensive clothes, cars and houses and I want all that and more.

"I set up a business at the age of 11.

"I don't like failure. To lose is the worst thing."

Lord Sugar is said to take on the role of a 'firm but fair' headmaster - and shows his softer side - in the new series.

The teen version shows 16 and 17-year-old aspiring tycoons, some of whom are already running their own businesses, displaying their raw business talents to win access to a fund worth £25,000.

Viewers will see Lord Sugar warn the youngsters that he is no 'happy clappy teacher', adding: "You can look at me as the head teacher that you'll love to hate."

He says: "You all probably think that I'm some grumpy old git. It's not true - I'm not that old."

Asked during a press launch if he had modified his manner, Lord Sugar, who left school aged 16, said: "I obviously had to consciously recognise that I was dealing with much younger people.

"And so obviously I spoke to them in a much different manner than you would do to more mature candidates."

* Junior Apprentice begins tonight on BBC1 at 9pm.