Mike Soutar: entrepreneur’s best moments on BBC show

MIKE Soutar has become an iconic part of the hit BBC show The Apprentice.

Since first appearing on the interview panel in 2011, the Dundeeborn entrepreneur has won over fans with his tough questioning and his clever techniques to catch candidates out.

His latest appearance on the series on Thursday night saw viewers hailing his “relentless” approach as he helped in the search for Lord Sugar’s next business partner.

We take a look some of the most memorable Mike Soutar moments.

1. Pyjama party pooper

It was not the first time Mike had used that trick to leave a candidate red faced.

In 2022, Kathryn Burn was hoping to scoop the £250,000 investment by launching a company that sold matching pyjamas for families online. But Mike revealed he had snapped up the address she planned to use – myeverydaypyjamas. co.uk – and three other variations.

2. The wrong call

Back in 2012, he also caught out contestant Jade Nash when he revealed he owned one of the addresses listed in her business plan.

Jade, who was hoping to start a telemarketing call centre, said that she may have to buy the domain from Mike, who asked her to make him an offer.

3. Electrolyte plight

In 2018, Daniel Elahi thought he could impress his way into the final by saying that he had sold more than a million electrolyte sticks online.

A “very disappointed” Mike found out that this was a lie, however, and the actual number was 47,000.

Daniel tried to worm his way out of admitting that he had written the claim.

5. Stacks of business

In 2017, Michaela Wain reached the interviews stage with hopes of launching an online construction tender business.

Showing his penchant for research, however, Mike quizzed her on why she had worked for 10 different businesses in seven years, stacking 10 large folders in front of the candidate.