Apprentice stars rallied round Reece Donnelly today after he was axed from the show for boozing on a plane to Dubai - with the entrepreneur continuing to insist he quite for 'health reasons'.
Yesterday's episode saw the cast tasked with laying on a corporate away day for a high-end client in Dubai, but one team were left a man down after Reece was said to have failed to adhere to show sobriety rules.
Lord Sugar was 'furious' at the decision and 'couldn't believe someone would risk securing his £250,000 investment for the sake of a drink', a TV source told MailOnline.
However, the Glaswegian theatre school owner is insistent he left of his own accord after deciding to 'listen' to his body.
And last night he received the backing of his former Apprentice colleagues, who rallied around him by sharing social media posts saying 'health is wealth'.
Reece Donnelly made it to week six of The Apprentice but is no longer appearing on the show
Wedding dress expert Shannon Martin, who quit the show last month, wrote: 'Absolutely gutted that Reece had to leave the process but health is so much more important than money and winning!'
Reece also received the backing of construction company director Brad Johnson, who said he was 'gutted' his 'best pal' had left, adding: 'Health comes first always! Keep smashing it bro, I’ll see you on the other side'
Wedding dress expert Shannon Martin, who quit the show last month, wrote: 'Absolutely gutted that Reece had to leave the process but health is so much more important than money and winning!
'Reece is already winning at life and smashing his insane business at just 26!’
Reece also received the backing of construction company director Brad Johnson, who said he was 'gutted' his 'best pal' had left, adding: 'Health comes first always! Keep smashing it bro, I’ll see you on the other side.'
Meanwhile, hair salon owner Dani Donovan wrote: ‘Sad to see my bestie leave the process, but health is wealth. So proud of you keep smashing it.'
Reflecting on his departure, Reece told virginradio.co.uk today: 'I was gutted, I think you'll believe that if anyone had confidence that I was winning, it was me, I was on the homestretch.
'I was not willing to back down for anything. When your health's involved, I think you just need to go ''what's important here?''
'That's where the decision lies. But listen, I had a blast. I gave it my all I'm sure you'll agree.
Meanwhile, hair salon owner Dani Donovan wrote: ‘Sad to see my bestie leave the process, but health is wealth. So proud of you keep smashing it'
Reece has continued to insist he decided to leave the Apprentice for health reasons after allegedly being axed for drinking alcohol
Lord Sugar was 'furious' after Reece drunk alcohol on a plane despite candidates being told by producers to stay sober
'I don't think there was a task that I didn't fling myself into right at the deep end. But it was a great experience and great fun.'
Lord Sugar is known to be a hard taskmaster who would not take kindly to anyone breaking the rules.
Following Reece's departure after making it to week six, a TV source told MailOnline: 'Reece was sent home and didn't film in Dubai.
'Producers were unimpressed when he had several alcoholic drinks on the flight even though he was told not to.
'Lord Sugar was obviously furious, he couldn't believe someone would risk securing his £250,000 investment for the sake of a drink.
'He later told the candidates in the boardroom that Reece had been eliminated from the process.'
Following Reece's departure after making it to week six, a TV source told MailOnline: 'Reece was sent home and didn't film in Dubai'
The former Waterloo Road actor was filmed being told by Lord Sugar via a pre-recorded video message that he would be jetting to Dubai alongside his fellow contestants
The former Waterloo Road actor was filmed being told by Lord Sugar via a pre-recorded video message that he would be jetting to Dubai alongside his fellow contestants.
A preview clip was aired on last week's You're Fired where stars of the show were seen riding camels and jet skis during the UAE business trip, but Reece was nowhere to be seen.
Back in the boardroom, Lord Sugar addressed Reece's sudden departure, saying: 'So, as you know, Reece wasn't able to take part in the task and has subsequently left the process.'
A candidate is still fired in Thursday's instalment of the BBC series, meaning two business hopefuls are gone by the end of week six.
An Apprentice spokesman said: 'Reece was unable to continue in the process, this was discussed and agreed between Reece and programme-makers.'
Reece recently announced he was launching a new podcast about his business career, including 'all the times I've messed up'.
An Apprentice spokesman said: 'Reece was unable to continue in the process, this was discussed and agreed between Reece and programme-makers'
A candidate is still fired in Thursday's instalment of the BBC series, meaning two business hopefuls are gone by the end of week six'
It recently emerged that Reece's half-brother is currently serving a life sentence for a cocaine-fuelled murder.
Nico Donnelly was jailed in 2016 for brutally stabbing Jamie Johnstone, 21, to death in Sandyhills, Glasgow.
The 29-year-old later had extra time put on his sentence for violent behaviour behind bars.
Reece claimed he didn't know his brother despite their four-year age gap.
'I do not know this family member in question. I was only recently made aware of this news. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families affected,' he told the Daily Record.
Reece's mother, Debbie, 51, has spoken of her fears her son's achievements could be overshadowed by his half-sibling's criminal past.
Calling him a 'completely different person', she revealed how he had been working hard to help children through a theatre school he set up in 2018.
In Thursday night's episode, the cast are tasked with laying on a corporate away day for a high-end client but one team were left a man down after Reece was said to have failed to adhere to show rules
She told The Sun: 'My Reece is a completely different person. My worst fear is that his achievements are tarnished.
'I know what happened in the past was bad but it was nothing to do with Reece and all he is trying to do is help youngsters. That's his dream.
'He has built and opened his own theatre school and his own college. He's been an actor from age six and, when all this happened with The Apprentice, I can't help worrying as it can be a horrible world out there.'
Bridal boutique owner Shannon Martin also bowed out of the Apprentice during the second episode after deciding it wasn't the right move for her.
This year's series has seen contestants compete in challenges under the watchful eye of Lord Sugar's aids Karren Brady and Tim Campbell.
Reece narrowly avoided being fired in the boardroom last week after landing himself in the bottom three alongside Mark Moseley and sacked Denisha Kaur Bharj
So far, the candidates are lacking in business acumen, with Lord Sugar accusing the bunch of being 'desperate', 'disappointing', and 'diabolical' in recent weeks.
Shazia Hussain was the latest candidate to be fired after her team failed to impress with their electric bike advertisement.
Avi Sharma and Bradley Johnson narrowly missed getting the boot following tense scenes in the boardroom.
Reece avoided the chop the previous week after landing himself in the bottom three alongside Mark Moseley, who remains in the process, and sacked Denisha Kaur Bharj.
The current series kicked off with the candidates jetting to Antigua in the Caribbean after producers said they were able to put more budget into overseas tasks following years of the pandemic restricting their options.
