A BLACKBURN woman who is to appear on our screens tonight as the latest series of The Apprentice begins says it has always been ‘business over boys’ for her.

Former Westholme School pupil Camilla Ainsworth said she is 20 per cent excited and 80 per cent nervous about watching herself on screen.

The 22-year-old said: “I think there’s a chance I’ll be hiding behind a pillow throughout some parts of the show.

“I’m a massive fan and have watched it religiously for years, so it will be interesting to watch myself on it. It was easy to forget that there were cameras on you at all times so I’m sure I’ll watch back some of it thinking ‘oh god!’

Lancashire Telegraph:

“My parents are also sure there will be plenty of what they like to call ‘Camilla-isms’ throughout the show.

“I’ve always been interested in business and remember when I was at school and the others girls were interested in boys, I was always more into learning about business.

“I even set up my own little company selling free-range chicken eggs and I’d go knocking on my neighbours’ doors to sell the eggs.”

The law graduate, who spent a year in Australia after she completed her degree at Manchester University, set up a business selling nut milk in December 2017 after she discovered she had a intolerance to dairy. 

She started experimenting in the kitchen, creating recipes by using nuts as a dairy alternative and gained herself the nickname ‘the nutty professor’ in the process.

Before long she had created a range of recipes and flavours which she decided to bring to the market.

She said: “I went from creating the recipes to branding the product and designing my own logo in the space of a week.

“For me, I believe you have to live and breath something that you are passionate about and that is what I did. I’m proud of what I’ve created and I know its unique - there’s nothing else like it on the market.”

Her product, which is available across most of Lancashire, is sold in 250ml bottles in an ‘on-the-go’ style. Speaking about launching her product in her home county she said: “The people of Lancashire have really got behind me in everything I’ve done.

“I’m so proud to appear on the show and to represent the county. I feel as though a lot of the limelight shines on young, southern business people and it’s great that there are two of us representing Lancashire on this year’s series of the show.”

Rick Monk, a 33-year-old from Chorley, will be appearing alongside Camilla tonight, where all of the contestants will be whisked away to Malta as the series starts with a bang.

The Apprentice, BBC1, 9pm tonight.