The Apprentice: Andy gets fired!

Father-of-three Andy Jackson became the first person to be told "You're fired" on the new series of The Apprentice on Wednesday night - but says he had no regrets.

The former car salesman was booted off after taking on the role of project manager in a coffee-making task, and his team, Stealth, got knocked out by their rivals.

The 36-year-old, from Leeds but now living in Kirriemuir, Scotland, and the oldest of the 16 candidates, lasted on the BBC One show for just a week.

Andy said he hated being told "You're fired" by Amstrad boss Sir Alan. "But I've had knockbacks in my life and it's about how you pick yourself up.

"I was working 12 to 13 hours a day, six days a week, as a car sales manager and I needed a change. Going on The Apprentice was an absolutely superb opportunity."

Sir Alan Sugar has revealed why Andy was the first to be shown the door.

In an interview with The Mirror, Sir Alan said: "[Andy] broke the golden rule of retailing - position, position, position. How many more times do I have to say it?

"In his own field, Andy is one of the best car salesmen in Scotland, that's why he got on the show. However, The Apprentice takes experienced and confident people out of their comfort zone. Clearly, Andy was right out of his and he lost it."

Sugar added: "He was a very nice man, proud of his family and his achievements - and he sould be very proud that he beat 10,000 applicants to get on the show. But he had to go."