The Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton  reveals how she shattered cruel ‘bimbo’ label and kept Lord Sugar sweet when he severed ties with majority of show champions – as she issues warning to future contestants

A fresh-faced bubbly, blonde bombshell and just 24-years-old Dr Leah Totton was underestimated by The Apprentice viewers from the get-go. 

By her own admission, she had limited business experience prior to pitching her cosmetics clinic idea, having previously worked as an aesthetic doctor and in A&E. 

Yet that didn’t stop her taking the risk of applying for The Apprentice – where she was cruelly trolled on the show, with the 2013 final – in which she took on bakery owner Luisa Zissman – dubbed ‘battle of the bimbos’.  

Yet more than a decade on from winning the show and Lord Alan Sugar’s £250,000 investment, Dr Leah has continued to prove her critics wrong – launching a chain of cosmetic clinics that have been valued at £7 million. 

Now, armed with insider knowledge about the show and years of business experience, Dr Leah has revealed what future contestants should be wary of and how she’s managed to avoid the business bloodbath that’s seen eight out of 10 former winners cut ties with Lord Sugar. 

Season 18 of The Apprentice is set to conclude next week, when viewers will see piemaker Phil Turner take on gym owner Rachel Woolford in the final. 

And understandably, watching the series has brought Dr Leah a sense of nostalgia, who admits it’s a ‘crazy feeling’ seeing how far she’s come since appearing on it herself. 

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline about her time on the show, Dr Leah, 36, confessed: ‘It’s so nostalgic. The show itself is fairly similar now than it was 10 years ago but it works!’ 

Reflecting on the gruelling process she continued: ‘I found the challenges really hard because I wasn’t coming from a marketing/branding background and I didn’t have experience buying or selling.  

‘A lot of the others were doing that day to day so it came naturally for them but obviously my background was in medicine.’ 

Yet winning the show involved winning over Lord Sugar – who was at first hesitant to invest in an industry where he had no experience or business knowledge.

He ultimately deemed it was worth the risk as the profit margins were much higher than those proposed by runner-up Luisa, who wanted to launch an online bakery trade website. 

It was an investment that paid off as Dr Leah now turns over £2.7 million a year at her clinics in London and Essex. 

Yet she admits she wasn’t prepared for one aspect that came with winning the show – and it had nothing to do with Lord Sugar. 

Offering a warning to any future contestants, she confessed: ‘I wasn’t expecting the exposure. All the press. I was still working in the NHS when the show aired so I just wasn’t prepared. 

‘I didn’t anticipate losing my anonymity. I went from working in A&E every single day to someone who people knew from from a TV show. And it just was a a surreal for me. 

‘People nowadays will probably be a little bit more probably aware of this, but when we applied 10 years ago we weren’t expecting it.’ 

With all the added attention on Dr Leah came trolling – with viewers claiming she must be a ‘bimbo’ for wanting to enter the cosmetic clinics business. 

Reflecting on the backlash, Dr Leah mused: ‘I think the whole industry at that time was very different. There was a huge amount of stigma around having Botox and Dermal Filler. It was something that really talked about. 

‘We really moved forward now in terms of with moving that stigma around the industry that I’m in.’

As for contestants who are still judged on their appearances to this day, she mused: ‘They’re putting themselves through a really intense gruelling process and winning can be lifechanging. 

‘So I think the commentary on appearances is largely irrelevant. It’s more about what you see them do on the show.’ 

Discussing her partnership with Lord Sugar now, she shared: ‘We have a really good relationship. I’ve worked with him for over a decade. 

‘It was extremely closely to begin with because I didn’t really have a lot of business experience when I did the show. 

‘So of all of all of the winners, I probably needed the most help and support from him. Certainly, in the initial few years. 

‘He also has a really amazing back office team. So he has his own advisors, financial and business advisers who you get to work with really closely so whenever you need help, you can reach out to someone.

‘And Alan Sugar himself – he’s a workaholic – you can email him no matter what time zone he’s in and you’re gonna hear back from him really quickly! 

‘He’s very responsive, and has been honestly, really a great mentor to me over the past 10 years, and a really good business partner.’

Yet while her relationship with Lord Sugar is also still going strong, the same can’t be said of former show champions. 

Of the past 10 winners to nab an investment, just Dr Leah and 2023 victor – boxing gym owner Marnie Swindells – are still partners with the tycoon.  

Yet Dr Leah doesn’t think this down to Lord Sugar himself, as she mused: ‘I think it’s to do with the success of the business. 

‘If the business is doing well and you’re working well together there’s no reason for him not to want to continue that. 

‘With my business we’ve seen huge growth and and huge success over the past decade and I think that’s that’s why we continue to work together – it works.’ 

Her business acumen speaks for itself, as over the past 10 years she’s grown her business to a chain of three cosmetic clinics as well as launching the Dr Leah Skincare range. 

In June 2022 she posted a £2.78 million turnover and has won numerous accolades within their sector including Most Trusted Cosmetic Clinic 2023. 

Speaking about her business, Dr Leah mused: ‘I’ve been really, really fortunate with success. We’ve won multiple awards and the goal was always to become the most trusted clinics in the UK. 

‘It’s doctor led with a focus on ethics  and patient safety and I’m really delighted that we’ve achieved that.’ 

While business is booming, Dr Leah has been mindful of setting boundaries in recent months after welcoming her first child last year. 

As mother to 16-month-old daughter Lilah with her partner Justin she mused: ‘It’s a privilege to be able to work and also have my time with her.

‘She’s absolutely delightful and it’s made me appreciate my off time so much. Having Lilah really helped me set boundaries with my work and achieve that work/ life balance.’

For Leah, 10 years on from winning The Apprentice, and still breaking boundaries in the business world, she proves that her critics claims were baseless and will no doubt be an inspiration for contestants going forward. 

Dr Leah Totton is a highly regarded medical and cosmetic doctor, and founder of Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics www.drleah.co.uk and Dr Leah Skincare drleahskincare.co.uk

The Apprentice final airs Thursday at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer  

Where are the winners of The Apprentice now? A look at the most successful contestants including Mark Wright and Harpreet Kaur

Britain’s favourite business reality show is set to wrap up its current season on April 18.

Last year, Manchester native Marnie Swindells won Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment – using it to fund her boxing gym. 

But who have been the most successful winners?  

Tim Campbell, Ricky Martin, Dr Leah Totton and Mark Wright appear to be some of the most recognisable faces following their on-screen successes.

So what have the winners been up to since walking away with a job with Lord Sugar or the £250,000 investment?  

SERIES 17 – MARNIE SWINDELLS

Marnie is the current reigning champion after winning The Apprentice in 2023. 

The boxing champ won a £250,000 investment for her community-focused boxing gym business, Grit & Glory, over salon owner Rochelle Anthony.

Lord Sugar said choosing her was a ‘risk’ because it was ‘something which is completely alien to me to be honest and you’ve never run a business before’.

After her win, Marnie said: ‘What an incredible opportunity and moment for a girl like me to get to a place like this and have become Lord Sugar’s business partner.

‘It feels strange to even say that, but I’m not going to stop saying it because I am so happy.’

Taking to Instagram after the episode aired, she wrote: ‘Walking away from a career that I literally tortured myself to get was hard, but you know what’s harder? Staying in a place when you know you have more to give. 

‘Don’t play it safe, don’t get comfortable and don’t ever settle for less than what you are capable of. Be bold enough to close one chapter, in order to open the next.’

SERIES 16 – HARPREET KAUR

After winning in 2022, Harpreet started her dessert parlour business Oh So Yum in Bradford, with her sister Gurvinder and the help of Lord Sugar.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Harpreet insisted that Apprentice boss Lord Sugar had ‘no problem’ with her business of five years being jointly run by a member of her family and BBC producers built up the tension as ‘a bit of fun TV editing.’

Harpreet said: ‘My sister is going to remain as a director in the business. They made a big deal of it on the show but it’s not that big of a deal.

‘Lord Sugar is getting two for the price of one and is looking forward to meeting my sister but if it stopped him from investing then she was going to step down.’

She also found love on the show, revealing in August of last year that she was ‘unexpectedly swept off her feet’ by co-star Akshay Thakra. 

SERIES 15 – CARINA LEPORE

Carina won the £250,000 cash injection for her artisan bakery Dough Bakehouse, after winning nine out of the ten tasks.  

In September 2020 she opened her second bakery in Beckenham, alongside her bakery in Herne Hill.

Lord Sugar attended the opening and business seems to be booming for the businesswoman despite the pandemic putting some of her shops on hold.

She told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Of course, when the pandemic hit, everything changed for everyone in hospitality.

‘It’s tough at the moment. We’re ticking over, so that is good. But if it wasn’t for the pandemic, we would probably have three or four shops now.’

Reflecting on her win as the new series launched in 2022, she tweeted: ‘2 years ago, reminiscing on Winning the @apprenticeuk.

‘What a feeling, what a journey! one I’ll never forget!’

SERIES 14 – SIAN GABBIDON

Sian won in 2018 with her swimwear line Sian Marie already established before she went on the show.

The brand has since expanded to be sold through popular online fashion hotspot ASOS and sells party clothes and loungewear as well.

Her swimsuits have been worn by a range of famous stars including Michelle Keegan and Maura Higgins. 

Speaking about celebrities wearing her brands, she previously said: ‘The Love Island girls, the TOWIE girls. I’m friends with some of them. 

‘This year’s Love Island, I’m going to look at who is going in there. I want them to like wearing them and not be paid to wear them.

‘From my past that’s how it’s worked. I’ve never paid anyone to wear them.’

Speaking about her life after winning The Apprentice, she continued: ‘Obviously doing the show and then the changes that we did to the business – turning it from very small scale to mass production – we’ve had quite a busy year. 

‘It’s been mad – especially with the big launch party at the end of the show.’ 

Sian also launched her very own Apprentice-based podcast last year, and often attends glitzy events. 

SERIES 13 – SARAH LYNN AND JAMES WHITE

2017 was a stand out year as it marked the first time that two people were given the prize as joint winners.

James used his money on his Right Time Recruitment company, which he originally set up in 2016.

However, it reportedly struggled with ‘unfortunate setbacks’ in the first few months. 

It was also reported that James had a fall out with Lord  Sugar after he set up a different business with a friend, with Lord Sugar allegedly calling him ‘stupid, daft and naïve’ for the misguided decision.

Sarah used her cash prize to launch her confectionary company called Sweets in the City. 

It appears to have been a huge success and is available in WHSmiths, Holland & Barrett and Waitrose.

Speaking about a range of her sweets launching in Waitrose on Instagram, Sarah said: ‘The initial feedback has been amazing and I can’t thank everyone who has supported me and the business on this adventure so far enough – now so many new customers get to taste and see the product for themselves, so please head to your nearest Waitrose and buy a bag…or two…or three!’

SERIES 12 – ALANA SPENCER

Welsh businesswoman Alana won in 2016 with her luxury cake company Ridiculously Rich by Alana.

Her business boomed reaching annual sales of £500,000, suports almost 50 franchisees and she even has a YouTube baking channel.

She even reportedly bought back her shares from Lord Sugar in 2019, becoming the sole owner.

According to The Sun, a TV insider said: ‘Alana has now bought back all of Lord Sugar’s shares in Ridiculously Rich and she is now the sole owner and director of the firm.’ 

Alana told the Daily Mail that going on the show was the best decision she had ever made, explaining: ‘It wasn’t just my best financial decision, it was the best one I have ever made in my life.

‘It has made a huge difference in every aspect of my life. Financially, I have been able to take profits from my business and put down a hefty deposit to buy a house. 

‘I also have a different work schedule. Instead of baking and selling at markets, I’m office-based and work in the development kitchen.’ 

SERIES 11 – JOSEPH VALENTE

Joseph managed to persuade Lord Sugar into investing in his plumbing business ImpraGas.

Lord Sugar left the company in 2018, after Joseph bought back all his shares. 

Although it was reported that the company went bust in 2020, Joseph denies this saying it was wounded by Brexit and he ‘pulled a deal out of nowhere a few days before we were about to go under’.

After selling the business he said his reputation took a ‘hit’ and suffered ‘major anxiety’ afterwards.

He told Metro: ‘The damage is done. I got abused, hardcore, online by all of the haters that were waiting for me to fail. I took a lot of grief from it.

‘It hit me extremely hard. You know, it was the worst depression, I’ve probably ever experienced. I started to question my ability.

‘I’ve taken a lot of stick, it wasn’t the nicest thing that happened. You really do want to give up.’

However, Joseph bounced back and is now CEO of his company Trade Mastermind, which gives advice and training to businesses in the construction industry.

He also penned his own book which was a bestseller on Amazon called Expelled from the Classroom to Billionaire Boardroom. 

SERIES 10 – MARK WRIGHT

Mark beat off the rest of the competition in 2014 and created his digital marketing company Climb Online.

The Sun previously reported that the business was set to turn over an impressive £5m at the end of its second year.

Mark recently announced he has become an official UK citizen after moving from Australia in 2012. 

Mark was the recipient of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2018 and wrote about his business on his website. 

He wrote: ‘I wake up every day and still can’t believe I am the director of Climb Online.

‘This business is a dream that became a reality for me. When I came to the UK in 2012, with nothing but a passion for business and a love of digital marketing, I didn’t know how I would start running my own business…I just knew I wanted it badly. 

‘Lord Sugar and The Apprentice, combined with nine years’ experience in the industry, has created a recipe for a truly great business! I love helping companies smash their goals every day.’

Mark sold Climb Online in November 2022, but said he would be staying on as a shareholder and board member. 

SERIES 9 – LEAH TOTTON

Dr Leah from Northern Ireland won in 2013 with her cosmetic skin clinic Dr Leah Cosmetics.

The clinic offers skin peels, facials, skin tightening and fat reduction services.

The business reportedly turns over £1.6 million a year, and Lord Sugar has visited the clinic several times.

Leah has successfully set up sites in central London, Moorgate and Loughton, Essex.

She briefly dated fellow winner Mark Wright from 2015 until October 2016, with the couple citing their opposing work schedules as the reason for splitting up.

Sharing a video of herself cutting the ribbon for a new store with Lord Sugar, she wrote: ‘Dr Leah Baker Street clinic is officially open! It is a dream come true for me to have a clinic in the heart of the medical district of London!

‘Feeling so thankful for my amazing team @dr_leah_clinics, our loyal clients and of course my business partner @lord_sugar for putting his faith in me 5.5 years ago- which made this all possible. We have three clinics!”‘

Dr Leah launched a debut skincare line in 2022, and created a coveted range of products.

She welcomed her first baby with golfer partner Justin Harding last year. 

SERIES 8 – RICKY MARTIN

Former pro-wrestler Ricky Martin won in 2012 with his investment money going to his business Hyper Recruitment Solutions.

He now speaks about his experiences in business at schools and conferences.

Ricky is also a dad to two children with his wife Gemma, with the pair welcoming daughter Olivia in August 2020.

SERIES 7 – TOM PELLEREAU

Tom won back in 2011 with his invention of the Stylfile, a curved nail file which is now stocked by major supermarkets.

He continues to invent new inventions on his company STYLIDEAS, where you can buy reusable makeup wipes, gel nail polish remover sets and makeup brushes.

Tom, a former mechanical engineering student, went on to develop a collapsible baby bottle, a bowel cancer screening device and other inventions

He now runs a beauty accessories company with Lord Sugar called AVENTom. 

He admitted that he ‘gets shouted at all the time’ by Lord Sugar. 

SERIES 6 – STELLA ENGLISH

Investment banker Stella became Lord Sugar’s apprentice in 2010 and was rewarded with a job at Lord Sugar’s Viglen IT company.

But she quickly became disillusioned in her role and described herself as an ‘overpaid lackey’ on £100,000 a year doing ‘menial’ jobs.

She claimed she was forced to resign after 12 months and brought a constructive dismissal case against Lord Sugar. 

However, the tribunal dismissed the case, with the panel deciding her case ‘should never have been brought’ and was ‘ill-advised’.

Lord Sugar later said: ‘I’m afraid she underestimated me and her reputation is now in tatters.’

Stella’s ex-husband Ray blamed the show for their split, with Stella telling the Mirror: ‘The day that Ray left me he said ‘I wish you had never done that show.’ I just didn’t know what to say.’

She struggled to find a job afterwards and claimed she only had £90 in the bank to feed her two children. 

Talking to Lorraine Kelly and Aled Jones on Daybreak, she said: ‘Despite [the high salary] I couldn’t actually physically stay there, because it was unbearable. I had no future there, I knew that’s why I resigned.

‘I don’t regret going on the show because I won The Apprentice and I’m very proud of that.

‘But I do regret obviously what I’ve had to go through and what my family have had to go through, and I’m very sad the repercussions that it’s had.’

She continued: ‘However I will stand by it, I’ve spoken the truth and I’ve stood up for myself and I‘ve had to pay for it dearly but I will never apologise for it.’  

She then went on to work as a Management Consultant at computer giant HP, before she began hosting Crowdbox TV, a crowdfunding TV channel, in 2014. 

Her love life also turned around as Stella found happiness with snooker player boyfriend Ali Carter in 2016 and they got pregnant in 2017.

SERIES 5 – YASMINA SIADATAN

Yasmina got a job at Amscreen after her win in 2009, and stayed at the company for a year.

She then went on maternity leave but never fully returned to work after falling pregnant again just months after giving birth to her first child.

She became the creative director of Start Up Loans – a company that provides mentoring and finance to entrepreneurs.

Yasmina currently helps run a fintech company called Dynamic Planner based in Reading.

SERIES 4 – LEE MCQUEEN

Lee won in 2008 and went on to work for Lord Sugar’s healthcare company Amscreen.

He famously called in sick on his first day at the company as development director in ‘digital signage’.

He left the company in 2010 to start his own recruitment agency, Raw Talent Agency, based in Oxfordshire.

SERIES 3 – SIMON AMBROSE

Simon won the third series and got the £100,000 job – assigned to Lord Sugar’s property division, Amsprop.

He stayed in the job for three years before leaving in 2010 and since then has invested in restaurants, members clubs and art galleries throughout London.

Speaking to the BBC he said: ‘I enjoyed my three years with Lord Sugar and saw him regularly, my desk being only yards from his office,” he said.

‘It was a unique experience.’

He is also believed to be serving as a chairman of the London Contemporary orchestra.

SERIES 2 – MICHELLE DEWBERRY

Michelle won in 2006 and worked with Lord Sugar at his tech company Xenon Green for 11 months, but left early to begin a business consultancy.

She published an autobiography called Anything Is Possible in 2007 and became a columnist for magazine Business Matters in 2009.

She has since become a motivational speaker, a Sky News TV pundit and a host on GB News with her own show Dewbs & Co.

In July 2006, The Sun revealed that she was pregnant by Syed Ahmed, a fellow Apprentice contestant.

Sadly, Michelle miscarried the baby after being admitted to hospital with stomach pains, and the pair spilt soon afterwards.

Happily, she recently welcomed her first child – a baby boy, sharing: ‘I am super proud and happy to share the news that I am now a Mummy!!’ 

She also stood as an independent pro-Brexit candidate in the 2017 general election in Hull West and Hessle, but failed to win.

SERIES 1 – TIM CAMPBELL

Tim was the first ever winner of the reality TV series, bagging a £100,000 a year jon at Lord Sugar’s firm Amstrad.

He stayed in the job for two years before leaving to found the Bright Ideas Trust, a charity which helps young people to set up their own businesses.

‘I never saw the Apprentice, Lord Alan’s position, as a job for life,’ he told The Guardian. 

‘It was on a plate for me but that wasn’t what it was about. I never saw him as a blank cheque.’

Tim even received an MBE in 2012 for Services to Enterprise Culture.

In 2016, he co-founded Marketing Runners Ltd which is a bespoke digital marketing agency in London.

In 2022 he came full circle and returned to the show that made his name by becoming one of Lord Sugar’s advisors.