Leah Totton deserved to win 'The Apprentice', according to former contestant Kate Walsh.
The businesswoman and TV presenter - who reached the finals of the BBC business competition in 2009, before losing to Yasmina Siadatan - was extremely impressed with the pharmaceutical expert on this year's series and believes Lord Alan Sugar picked the right candidate to be his business partner.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz at blinkbox's 'Game of Thrones' Season 3 launch event at the Tower of London on Thursday (18.07.13), she said: "Lord Sugar absolutely made the right choice with Leah. When she went into those Week 11 interviews - those are tough and she totally nailed it. Every question, she knew the answer to; she knew her business plan inside out."
Leah defeated cake shop owner Luisa Zissman in the ninth series finale earlier this week and Kate - who also competed in an all-female final - thinks it's "easier" to be in the final with a fellow businesswoman.
She explained: "I wasn't struck on any of the guys this time. I always knew it was going to be an all-girl final. I really love that because I always back one of the girls. They both had really strong business ideas and are great businesswomen.
"I think it's easier when it's an all-girl final because, as we've seen this time, Leah and Luisa have become really good friends, as did Yasmina and I. If you're losing to one of your mates it kind of softens the blow."
Although Kate, 32, didn't win 'The Apprentice', the blonde beauty found love with co-star 'Pantsman' Philip Taylor and the couple are still going strong four years later.
The former 'Live from Studio Five' presenter gushed: "It's been four years since we were on the show. I didn't get the job, but I did get my boyfriend out of it. I think people are surprised to still see us together because I guess not that many people who meet on a TV show last, or sometimes it's not real and it's for the cameras. But no, we're really happy. Thank you, Lord Sugar, for bringing us together!"
Kate was joined by 'Game of Thrones' stars Maisie Williams and Joe Dempsie on the red carpet at a special event to celebrate the third season of the hit fantasy drama launching on blinkbox.
The online streaming service has landed exclusive rights to the episodes ahead of their DVD release in February 2014.
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