Syed finally fired by Sir Alan

Cheeky Syed Ahmed has finally been booted out of The Apprentice after five appearances in the boardroom

He became the tenth aspiring tycoon to get the boot after being criticised by Sir Alan Sugar for his "grasshopper brain mentality".

Syed, 31, and teammate Ruth Badger, 27, both thought they had clinched the victory in the task, to stage an event on a cruise ship.

After learning that his team had lost, Londoner Syed, who was team leader, admitted that he did not read the task rules.

Sir Alan said: "Someone described you Syed as a magpie. You swoop down to solve a problem then you're off again."

Ruth, a sales manager, criticised entrepreneur Syed saying: "Your attention to detail and organisation is appalling."

Sir Alan said: "I like your determination. What I can't get over is what I call 'grasshopper brain mentality' just jumping and flipping from one thing to another."

After a moment of deliberation he delivered Syed the final blow: "Syed, despite some flashes of genius you're too much of a risk for me. You're fired. Off you go."