Masters of Apprentice subterfuge

Celebrity Apprentice ... Peter Everett, Dermott Brereton, Peter Berner, Stephanie Rice, John Steffensen and Brian Mannix. Front row L-R Layla Subritzsky, Prue MacSween, Prinnie Stevens, Rob Mills, Kym Johnson, Dawn Fraser, Jeff Fenech and Roxy Jacenko. Source: Supplied

CHANNEL Nine has secretly filmed two "winners episodes" for the finale of Celebrity Apprentice in a dramatic move to prevent any leaks over who will take this year's title.

With an unprecedented and bitter ratings war boiling between Nine and Seven, the former have taken the extra step in protecting the identity of the new Apprentice to ensure audiences tune in.

Insiders say the top two contestants among the current crop - who cannot be named because of the spoiler factor - both had to "act" like they had won in separate boardroom scenes before the cameras.

The winner will only be told of their victory the week or - according to our source - "possibly the day" of the final episode.

"The last two years it has been well known who wins, because the show is filmed so far in advance and people talk," our backstage spy said.

"In this (TV) environment there's no time for that sort of leak."

Nine yesterday confirmed there would be two winners of Apprentice until the final.

"One has won, but they don't know who," a spokesman said.

"Only Mr (Mark) Bouris and senior producers know the outcome."

The previous two winner's were Julia Morris and Ian 'Dicko' Dickson.

This year's unashamed grab for ratings started with Seven extending the run of My Kitchen Rules in an attempt to harm the debut of Nine's forthcoming shows, such as The Voice and The Great Australian Bake Off which, despite major promos, is still yet to hit screens.

Nine hit back with a major programming reshuffle, which included pulling The Voice from its lineup last Wednesday as an "up the sleeve" strategy.

Both networks' new rennovation series - Nine's The Block and Seven's House Rules - are expected to go head to head next week.

Celebrity Apprentice 2013

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Who will win Celebrity Apprentice?

The new cast for the 2013 series of Celebrity Apprentice revealed on set in Fox Studios, Sydney. Back row L-R Peter Everett, Dermott Brereton, Peter Berner, Stephanie Rice, John Steffensen and Brian Mannix. Front row L-R Layla Subritzsky, Prue MacSween, Prinnie Stevens, Rob Mills, Kym Johnson, Dawn Fraser, Jeff Fenech and Roxy Jacenko. Source: Supplied

Swimming greats Dawn Fraser and Stephanie Rice join the cast of the third instalment of Australia’s Celebrity Apprentice (AAP/ Elise Scott)

CELEBRITY Apprentice chief Mark Bouris says viewers can expect and emotional mix of celebrities in the third series of the reality TV show.

"There is so much competition for air space this time so there are some real toughies wanting to get their point across," says Bouris. "Both Dawn and Jeff are as tough as teak and then there is someone like Brian Mannix who is such a tough dude and has amazing survivorship qualities."

In the series, a cast list of well-known, controversial and we must add, questionably-tagged ‘celebrities’, work towards raising money for various charities, the best ultimately sashed with the title of Celebrity Apprentice 2013.

Bouris, a mega successful businessmen is the chairman/co-founder of wealth management company, Yellow Brick Road (formerly of Wizard fame), helms the successful series.

Think of Mr Bouris as the Donald Trump of reality TV, only with better hair, a handsome head and much more charisma.

Vying for boardroom supremacy this time round are names like Olympic legend Dawn Fraser, swimming queen Stephanie Rice, singer Prinnie Stevens, entertainer Rob Mills, ex-AFL star Dermott Brereton, former rock name Brian Mannix and Olympic athlete John Steffensen.

Your Money columnist Mark Bouris. Picture: Nikki Short Source: National Features

They will be joined by comic Peter Berner, PR matriarch Prue Macsween, TV face Peter Everett, Big Brother runner-up Layla Subritzky, Hollywood hoofer Kym Johnson and the mighty boxer, Jeff Fenech.

Bouris says this year there is an underlying theme and battle of the newbies versus the experienced with some smarty pants ‘tude coming from those who think they know it all.

"Yes, there is a sense with a few of them that ‘we have got it all ahead of us’ and they sometimes need to listen to those who have successfully survived,’’ says Bouris. "That is such a big part of success, how to survive in a tough world."

Bouris says some of the experienced apprentices, like Prue MacSween break down as they see things about themselves they have not seen before.

"Vulnerability doesn’t mean you are weak,’’ adds Bouris. “Kindness should never be mistaken for weakness. Business doesn’t need to be conducted through qualities of fear, bullying and nastiness.

After a peek at the first few episodes, it seems Sydney-based PR chick Roxy Jacenko has taken over the reigns from season one stirrer, Deni Hines.

"Roxy doesn’t care who she spears and she think she knows every trick in the book,’’ says Bouris, grinning down the telephone line.

“She even sent flowers to my office which hasn’t happened in this series ever before."

As for the poolside golden girl, Stephanie Rice, Bouris has nothing but praise.

“I am really surprised how polished Stephanie she is. My pre-conception was much different but she is very adaptable, confident and always handles herself beautifully in the boardroom."

And what about rumours of a romance between Stephanie Rice and Rob Mills?

Celebrity Apprentice first challenge was .to run a fish and chip shop opened to the public at Bondi Beach. (L to R) Craig Thompson, from Leeds, Layla Subritzky and Stephanie Rice with fish and chips. Picture: Justin Lloyd Source: The Daily Telegraph

"Well, when they are all working together so closely and there is The Star in the mix (the celebs stayed at the Sydney hotel for the duration of the shooting), so who knows what could have happened?,’’ Bouris says wryly.

Another name who caught the apprentice chief off-guard was the often maligned Olympian John Steffensen.

"To be honest, I went into the series thinking we could be dealing with a spoiled brat here but I found he had an unbelievable presence, he is articulate and is a great person,’’

While the series has already been filmed, two endings have been shot.

Bouris says he is not deciding on the winner until the series has run its course.

“I want to watch it like viewers and see who really deserves the title at the end of the series."

The Celebrity Apprentice Australia, premieres on Tuesday April 30 at 8.40pm and will screen weekly on Channel 9.

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Celeb Apprentice 'like Guantanamo Bay'

1980s Australian music stars Dale Ryder from Boom Crash Opera, Brian Mannix from the Uncanny X-Men and Scott Carne from Kids In The Kitchen, who are touring under the banner Absolute 80sSupplied unrestricted but not for sale Source: Supplied

CELEBRITY Apprentice Australia contestant Brian Mannix has compared the show to a terrorist prison.

Mannix, 51, told Confidential: "It was like Guantanamo Bay without the water torture.''

The Uncanny X Men frontman said:

COMPETITORS were woken up at 4.30am for no reason.

THEY had to go to the toilet with a guard.

THAT plan proved disastrous when five constestants got food poisoning.

HE was furious at a flurry of lies spun by producers and crew members.

Mannix said: "They would deliberately lie to stall or distract you. None of my fellow contestants gave me the s---s. But the crew did.''

The food did, too.

Mannix said five competitors were struck down with food poisoning during filming.

He added: "But you couldn't go to the toilet without a guard, which wasn't a lot of fun for anyone, especially when we had explosive diarrhoea.''

Celebrity Apprentice cast including: Back row L-R Peter Everett, Dermott Brereton, Peter Berner, Stephanie Rice, John Steffensen and Brian Mannix. Front row L-R Layla Subritzsky, Prue MacSween, Prinnie Stevens, Rob Mills, Kym Johnson, Dawn Fraser, Jeff Fenech and Roxy Jacenko. Picture. Toby Zerna Source: Supplied

Mannix said they had to get out of bed at 4.30am every day.

He said: "They did it just to annoy us. We didn't even have anything to do. We stood around doing sweet f--- all.

"They make you do a long day, and wear everybody out, so they crack it.''

He compared the boardroom showdowns with boss, Mark Bouris, to his school days.

"It was like being back at St Bernards with the Christian brothers, only (Bouris) didn't strap you at the end.

"I reckon if you ran a real business like that, you'd be bankrupt within a month.''

Mannix said he bonded well with fellow apprentices footy great Dermott Brereton, chef Peter Everett, sprinter John Steffensen, and singer Rob Mills.

His highlight was watching Steffensen ask Mills about the famous one night stand with Hollywood party girl Paris Hilton.

He laughed: "Steff thinks he's American. He was asking Millsy: 'So, man, was it a one night beatdown?'

"And then he goes: 'Did you take it to the house and shut it down?'''

He said Everett was hilarious. "He can't talk to you without touching you. He's such a girl, but he's a ripper.''

Mannix, who is performing with Absolutely 80s in Melbourne this week, is enjoying his freedom.

He groaned: "It was really gruelling. It took me a day or two to get over it.

"I know Dermie spent a day in a room by himself and didn't talk to anybody just to reacclimatise.''

Absolutely 80s, with Mannix, Scott Carne and Dale Ryder, perform in Melbourne at Doncaster Shoppingtown Hotel, tomorrow; York On Lilydale on Saturday, and Davey's Frankston on Wednesday.

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