The Apprentice

Nick Hewer
If you haven't seen the latest edition of Have I Got News For YOU (HIGNFY) - then you're missing a real treat.

Surprisingly the star of the show is not Paul Merton or Ian Hislop - but Nick Hewer - a long-time sidekick and trusted adviser to Lord Alan Sugar on the BBC programme - The Apprentice.

Nick is on the same side as Paul Merton - but steals almost every scene - with his sardonic wit and deadpan delivery.

He looks a bit like a famous actor from the silent film era - Buster Keaton - with a wide range of expressive facial gestures - one to suit every occasion.

Nick is scathing about the Labour leadership - Ed Miliband and Ed Balls - for no more reason that he finds them deeply unimpressive - and he says so very candidly even though he is a self-confessed Labour voter.


Ed Miliband has a terribly weak handshake according to Nick - and so will never make it to the top - from which you can draw your own conclusions.

For example, is there an inference to be drawn from Nick's close association with the word 'Apprentice' - which Gordon Brown used to such good effect against David Cameron - when as opposition leader Cameron was jostling for his job - as Prime Minister.


'This is no time for an apprentice' - Gordon Brown boomed in the House of Commons as the economy fell to pieces - but soon afterwards his time was up and the tables were turned.   

Lord Sugar's no nonsense attitude and firm handshake would sort out all of Labour's woes implies his trusty lieutenant - and I believed him - though the problem is that  many other viewers would believe him as well.

The Labour leadership has a real problem on its hands - if popular culture decides that a politician is weak or venal or just plain useless - that label seems to stick and is very hard to shake off.

So if I were Ed Miliband - I'd start working on that handshake pretty damn quick - because first impressions count for a lot.

Watch HIGNFY on the BBC iPlayer.

The programme is good for what ails you and will serve up a real treat - in the hectic run-up to Christmas.

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