TV winner hails great-aunt

Apprentice victor Stella English has praised her great-aunt for giving her the drive needed to win the show.

The 31-year-old beat rival Chris Bates to become Lord Sugar's new apprentice after 12 weeks of gruelling tasks on the hit BBC1 show.

She won the six-figure salary job, despite having a difficult start in life – English's father abandoned her when she was a baby and her mother was unable to look after her.

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Her great aunt, Stella Brockman, raised her on an estate in Thamesmead, south east London, meaning she did not have to go into care.

English told BBC Breakfast: "I think Stella taught me some really good values, ones that I live by now. Those values got me through this process. She's taught me to set your sights as high as you possibly can and that the only thing that can hold you back is yourself."