Nick Hewer is the host of Countdown, Lord Sugar’s right-hand man on The Apprentice and a highly sought after keynote speaker. His facial expressions, borne of wonderfully dry wit and a lifetime’s business experience, tell you exactly what he thinks of the contestants.
Nick Hewer’s PR firm was selected to represent Amstrad in the eighties and soon became responsible for media handling of all Alan Sugar’s business and charitable activities. For over 20 years Nick played an integral part in Amstrad’s management structure. He also built a long and impressive client list, including the Secretariat of HH, The Aga Khan and the wife of the ruler of Dubai, the late Sheikh Maktoum.
After selling the business, Nick withdrew to his house in south-west France; but having become firm friends with Alan, he was called to negotiate on his behalf with the Apprentice producers. The tables were turned when Sugar persuaded Nick to take an on-screen role and promised to negotiate his fees. “I fought hard against it,” he says, “but he cajoled me – in a muscular sort of way.” Taking to television like a duck to water, Nick has since amassed a string of credits from Have I Got News For You to The Town That Never Retired, and Countdown to Freetown.
Nick Hewer and his original opposite number, Margaret Mountford, became surprising stars of the hit reality show. Nick’s after dinner speech takes audiences behind the scenes, before turning into an extended question and answer session. With The Apprentice consistently topping the ratings, there is never any shortage of questions.
