Sophie's told "You're fired!"

10:01pm Wednesday 18th April 2007

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A quantum physicist fired from The Apprentice by Sir Alan Sugar has admitted that she will never be rich.

Dr Sophie Kain, 32, who was competing for a six-figure salaried job with Sir Alan, was booted off when she struggled to sell lollipops to children at London Zoo.

She complained in the boardroom that she did not want to sell something that she did not believe was "value for money".

Sir Alan replied: "This is the real world love, this is not your scientific protons and neutrons. That's what retailers do. It's the pot calling the kettle black.

"The pharmaceutical industry are the biggest culprits going. These pills that we're popping all the time curing diseases, cost fractions of pennies to produce and then the National Health Service is laying out £500 a pill.

"I'm wondering, have I got another one here who should really stick to what they know? ... You're Fired!"

Speaking about her exit from the BBC1 show, Dr Kain said: "I've learnt from the programme that I value my principles more than money.

"I'm never going to be rich but I am going to be successful."

She added: "I didn't believe in pushing lollipops to kids. I thought what we were asked to do was a little bit intimidating."

Dr Kain, from Gwent, who has a PHD in Theoretical Physics, said she was returning to her former job as principal research scientist and is also setting up an internet advisory service.