A WARMINSTER man is one of 18 contestants vying to win the approval of Sir Alan Sugar in this year’s series of hit TV show The Apprentice.

Oliver Nohl-Oser, who moved to the town with his wife from London six years ago, made his debut on the show on Thursday (October 6) and survived without being the unfortunate contestant to fall at the first hurdle after his team were victorious.

Mr Nohl-Oser, 33, who was based at the Army Officer Selection Board in Westbury when he was training to go into the Army in 1999, is hoping to secure the £250,000 investment to expand his sausage distribution company and take it overseas.

In an interview with The Wiltshire Times, he revealed what life has been like since the first episode was watched by millions across the UK.

“A lot of people have said I came across very well which is nice to hear. I wasn’t trying to gang up on anyone, I just wanted to be myself. Honesty is the best policy I always think,” he said.

“I was quite nervous beforehand but as the process developed I became more natural; I think we all did. My main aim was really just to focus on the task at hand.

“I've been spotted a few times since Thursday’s episode with people referring to me as the “sausage supremo” which is quite funny.”

The businessman added that the infamous morning rush as contestants are summoned by a phone call with an abrupt 15-minute warning and the cramped living conditions are not just added in for entertainment purposes.

He said: “There really wasn’t a lot of time to get ready in the mornings once someone answered the phone and we were very up against it in the tasks, too. Travelling across London in those cars took a lot of time and it really was a pressured situation.

“I had flashbacks to being at boarding school when I was in the dorm with the other contestants.

“I’m used to living in those conditions and getting woken up early from my time spent at the Army Officer Selection Board – the senior production manager who lived in the house with us was a bit like the matron.

“Overall it was an amazing experience. You learn a lot about yourself and I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of applying in the future.”

The 33-year-old’s next appearance on the show will be at 9pm on Thursday (October 13), BBC1.