The 'strenuous process' of getting onto The Apprentice

A contestant on The Apprentice has spoken of the "strenuous process" to get onto the TV show.

Mia Collins, a meal prep entrepreneur from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, features on the current series of the BBC programme.

Ms Collins, who is also an amateur bodybuilder, said she got through on her second attempt to be a contestant, explaining the application process had "multiple stages" over a few months.

"It's a strenuous process," she said. "You just have to put your best foot forward on all of those rounds."

Ms Collins said she had always wanted to be on the show.

"I've watched it for as long as I can remember and every year I watch it I think, 'God, I really think I could do that'."

"I'm just so glad I finally got to be one of those 18 candidates, and I loved it," she added.

Ms Collins owns a fitness-orientated meal plan service, which she ran in Bristol for four years before moving to London.

She now plans to relaunch it in the capital.

"It's a tried and tested model, it was successful from the onset," she said.

The entrepreneur also trains as a body-builder at Trojan gym in Ashton Gate, Bristol.

"I do think having a business that resonates with my passion, it just set it up for success in the first instance," she said.

Asked about what she had learned from being on the hit BBC show, Ms Collins said: "You're taught to think on the spot very quickly, adapt to new situations and give it a best go - and be comfortable with whatever the result is.

"I'm definitely happy with what I've done so far."

She said she was still friends with the other contestants.

"Its really important that we've all got each others' backs and we're all there to support each other.

"I can't wait for you to see what we get up to in task two," she added.

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