NEWS

Tickets For Troops Operations Directors Leaves Apprentice

A contestant on the television show The Apprentice has revealed how he quit the programme after his brother was badly wounded serving in Afghanistan.

23-year-old Raleigh Addington said there was "never any question" of staying on the show after hearing the news.

Captain Ed Addington of 2 Rifles, was injured in an explosion in Sangin just before the candidates were going to take part in their second task on the BBC1 show.

Raleigh said: "I was contacted by the producer of the programme who told me that my mother was on the emergency number and I immediately feared the worst. My mind was buzzing with all kinds of emotions, had Ed been killed or injured in Afghanistan."

His brother was flown to Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham suffering from a collapsed lung, a brain haemorrhage and multiple fractures to his arms and legs.

Raleigh said: "Lord Sugar gave me a call after I left to make sure my brother and family were okay - it was great to hear from him."

Ed said when he woke up and saw his brother by his bedside, he thought he had been fired after the first task. He said: "He knows family comes first, but I truly believe Lord Sugar lost his best Apprentice that day."

Raleigh has since started working for Tickets For Troops, a charity that works with organisations in the UK to supply tickets to events for British troops and their families