Transport manager wins Apprentice

Tim Campbell beat 13 contestants in the 12-part BBC Two series

Transport manager Tim Campbell has won hit reality show The Apprentice, beating Saira Khan to a £100,000 job with Amstrad tycoon Sir Alan Sugar.

The 27-year-old London Underground worker heard Sugar say "you're hired!" at the end of a live BBC Two show.

He and Ms Khan beat 12 other contenders to the final, in which they had to organise a boat party on the Thames.

Mr Campbell said he planned to spend his first month's wages on a luxury holiday for his mother Una.

'Strong role model'

She brought him and his two siblings up on her own, taking on three jobs.

"I understand the sacrifices she made when we were growing up and I wanted to repay her," Mr Campbell added.

Mr Campbell, who lives in Stratford, east London, said he also entered the show to be a "strong role model" for his three-year-old daughter.

Sir Alan (centre) said Khan (left) would also be able to work for him

The two finalists spent the past six months working at Amstrad so Sir Alan could observe how they would fit into his company.

Sir Alan said he selected Mr Campbell because: "He's young, he's enthusiastic, he's eager to learn and he's a good all-rounder."

He added: "Tim is like an empty template, he's ready to be moulded. He's a prime example of an apprentice."

The winner said he was often happy to "melt into the background when the TV cameras were there" but said he gave 100% to every task.

"I get recognised in the street now and inadvertently I have made a role model, which I find really weird.

I'm sure it was a hard decision for Sir Alan Runner-up Saira Khan

"But for me it was never about fame, it was only ever about getting a job with Sir Alan Sugar."

After the task, Ms Khan, 34, was dismissed with Sir Alan's weekly catchphrase: "You're fired!" However, he hinted that there was also a position for her in his company should she choose to take it.

The Nottingham-born sales manager took defeat on the chin, saying she was "really pleased for Tim".

"Throughout the course of the last few months I have worked with him quite closely and he's become a really good friend.

"I'm sure it was a hard decision for Sir Alan but I think he's chosen the right person for the job that he's got in mind."

The BBC series was based on Donald Trump's successful US show The Apprentice, which attracted 20m viewers.

The show will return for a second series, the corporation has confirmed, and Sir Alan said he would be happy to do it all again.

"The Apprentice has been a hit partly because it's entertaining, but also because it has an underlying business message."