You’re hired... as Mr Manchester!
APPRENTICE STAR LEWIS LANDS SPECIAL ROLE
HE narrowly missed out on victory on last year’s The Apprentice – but the show’s last Manc standing is now celebrating a different victory.
Lewis Ellis, 29, may have walked away without the £250,000 of investment on the table from Lord Alan Sugar, but he’s thrilled to be flying the flag for his home city as Mr Manchester.
The Manchester-based entrepreneur, who was given his marching orders at the 11th hour from the BBC business contest, has gone on to build his own travel company Hiddn Travel.
Travel has since been put on hold amid the coronavirus crisis but Lewis and co-founder Luke DeValle are aiming to provide stylish escapes for young professionals when we’re able to go on holiday again.
Lewis was voted Mr Manchester – the first in four years – by a panel including the current Miss Manchester, Miss Charity, Miss Manchester managing director Cheryl Broadfoot and the director of Miss England, Angie Beasley.
“I was born and raised here,” proud Lewis said. “I was brought up in Rochdale and it was a great place to live.”
The former travel rep says he would have no qualms about recommending The Apprentice experience to others. He said: “You’re going to be made to look a fool but if all you’re worried about is being made to look a bit of a fool, you’re never going to get anywhere. I don’t believe in having regrets,” he added.
As Mr Manchester, Lewis will help the charity One Woman At A Time, dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged women and girls in parts of Kenya, India and the UK and Elle For Elle, created by friends Lynette Page-Collin and Rachel O’Hare to provide body-care, haircare and cosmetics for women and children living in UK refuges.
He said: “I’m proud to be from the north and to have this platform. I’m looking forward to representing Manchester and taking on a new challenge. I’m passionate about the city.”
Lewis is planning to join forces with Mr Greater Manchester, Morgan Burdaky, on a mission to raise money and awareness.
Morgan, 21, works on the sales team at Pennine Flooring Supplies in Heywood and was encouraged to take part by his friend Jodie Shawcross, a former Miss Manchester contestant who was a second runner-up in 2017 and 2018.
Modest Morgan didn’t tell any of his friends and family that he was entering the contest.
He said: “When I told them I had won they didn’t believe me. They didn’t take any notice. I haven’t done anything like this before so I was buzzing.”
Lewis and Morgan will now go forward to Mr England, which will be held after lockdown.