Forget Bill Cullen – TV3 producers actually wanted Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary to run the boardroom.
The Irish businessman was also approached by BBC before Alan Sugar got the role.
Speaking at the launch of Ryanair’s sponsorship of the Easter Sunday Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, Michael said he wouldn’t do the show when asked if he would do reality TV.
Approached: Michael was asked before Lord Sugar | BBC
“No, because it does not promote Ryanair. I’ve been asked to do the, what is that, the Apprentice thing, a couple of times in the UK and
here in Ireland . . . I mean No.”
“I don’t need it. Contrary to all the public perceptions, I don’t need that kind of personal PR,” he told The Sun.
“I was asked to do it before Sugar did it. They offered it to (Richard) Branson, me — all the lunatics were offered it. It’s not my gig.
Reality TV: Michael only wants to promote Ryanair | VIPIRELAND.COM
“I have more important things to do; running and growing Ryanair, and I have a family of four kids under the age of ten.”
