'Owning four phones landed Apprentice place'

A hair transplant consultant believes taking his four mobile phones to the interview for The Apprentice clinched his place on the BBC One show.

Carlo Brancati, who says he works 18-hour-days, said showing the panel his phones was "not showing off", but proved he was busy and "hard-working".

The 37-year-old from Middlesbrough is one of 18 candidates who will try to prove their worth performing weekly tasks in the hope of winning investment in their business from Lord Sugar.

Mr Brancati has had two hair transplants over the last four years and said he wanted to guide people to the "most reputable" clinics to help restore their self esteem.

Speaking to BBC Radio Tees, Mr Brancati, said: "Apparently there are between 80,000 to 100,000 applicants for the show and I wanted to stand out.

"Genuinely, I've got four mobile phones for four different businesses.

"I took them to the interview and told the panel I wasn't trying to show off but that I work very hard and I think they were impressed.

"I got progressed after that and I think that made all the difference."

Mr Brancati said he was able to empathise with clients wanting to have hair transplants because he had been through it himself.

He said losing his hair was tough on his self-esteem and that he had avoided looking in mirrors.

"When people were speaking to me, I was thinking they were looking at my hairline," he said.

"Being in photos was quite daunting, trying to get the right light when taking selfies.

"I've researched the market for eight years. I teach people to navigate the market with unbiased advice.

"I don't represent clinics - I'm a clinic agnostic."

The Apprentice returns to iPlayer and BBC One at 21:00 GMT.

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