Apprentice’s Elizabeth: ‘I’m shocked by my own face!’
The TV star talks chickens and bouquets
Let’s be honest: this year’s Apprentice candidates haven’t quite managed to set the world alight – except for Elizabeth Mckenna. The florist, 39, who lives in Nottingham, hooked us with her irrepressible enthusiasm (as well as her habit of taking over). Who could forget the week she chased a flock of chickens away midway through filming?
Speaking exclusively to heat, the businesswoman chats squaring up to Lord Sugar and presenting flowers to a certain Ms Markle…
Some contestants have been wound up by you. Is that fair?
I’m Australian: you go hard or you go home. If you’re not as good as me, don’t criticise me for doing well.
What about complaints that you’re too bossy?
I give 110 per cent in everything and cream comes to the top. You see people who don’t step up, but I’m always like, “I think I can do that – let me have a go.” That can be seen as me taking over, but it’s just me saying, “Let me try.”
You blew up on social media after chasing the chickens…
That was one of the most epic disasters in Apprentice history! They were in the way. Sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
Are you happy with how you’ve been edited?
If you haven’t said or done it, they can’t show it – it’s as simple as that. But my facial expressions… some of them have shocked me.
Is the boardroom as scary as it seems on TV?
Ten times more.
You’re 6ft 2in – couldn’t you stare down Lord Sugar?
I don’t think size is the measure of someone – I’m a pussy cat. When Lord Sugar cuts through the BS, you’ve got to respect it.
How’s life been since filming?
Busy! I made Meghan Markle’s bouquet [ presented to her by the school she visited] when she and Harry came to Nottingham. You maybe get one or two opportunities in your career to do a royal bouquet – I managed to achieve doing the very first posy for Meghan.
So, are you now hoping to do her wedding flowers?
If I was frightened in the boardroom, imagine that! But it would be the greatest honour. I wouldn’t even try to take over.