The Apprentice: Father of fired contestant Ella Jade dies suddenly

By Suzanne Baum

The father of The Apprentice contestant Ella Jade Bitton-who was fired in the latest episode-died suddenly this week.

Entrepreneur Paul Bitton, who had moved from France to the UK 40 years ago, was the managing director of the successful North London British Bathroom Centre.

His 23-year-old daughter Ella Jade, who lives in Hertfordshire, had worked for her father’s business.

“Ella Jade’s father passed away suddenly,” said a spokesperson for the show. “His support for her on The Apprentice meant the world to her.  Our thoughts are with Ella Jade and her family. Due to the family bereavement, she will not be appearing on tonight’s You’re Fired, the show featuring the fired candidates.”

This week’s episode, which was filmed several months ago, saw Ella Jade fighting to keep her place in the show. She had stepped in as project manager for ‘Team Tenacity’ in a task to create their own video channels to go live on YouTube, but failed to win. She was fired, alongside Sarah and Stephen, the two candidates  she had brought with her into the boardroom.