Edwards is competing with 18 other budding entrepreneurs on the popular BBC reality programme to win £250k investment and the chance to go into a business partnership with Lord Sugar.

With round one out of the way, Edwards is keeping her eyes on everyone and doubting no one ahead of this week’s task, which sees each team manufacture and sell mini cheesecakes (Thursday 9pm, BBC One).

Recruiter tracked her down to get her thoughts on the first task. “I think if you see [last week’s] episode and everything that we did – I appreciate our morning expedition in the gorge was great but what happened in the kitchen [wasn’t good], the night before boardroom it was a bit sweaty,” said Edwards. 

“We were very nervous as we had delivered in part, but it was not the finest performance ever.”

Thankfully for the recruitment entrepreneur the boys had an even worse time, with a loss of profit to the tune of £506.40. 

The girls hardly excelled themselves, with a paltry profit of £122.43, but after rushing from the boardroom, they headed for the contestants’ house, set out with among other things, a swimming pool, plush surroundings and some alcoholic drinks into the bargain, leaving the boys to battle it out in the boardroom.

In the end, sales executive Oliver Medforth fell on his sword and was the first contestant to leave the 18th edition of The Apprentice.

Edwards, the founder of financial recruiter Hathor Talent, said the boardroom pressure was an emotive, unique experience.

“It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which covers all emotions when you’re actually on the show – excitement, nervousness and the pressure of the boardroom,” she told Recruiter. “It [boardroom pressure] is something I have never experienced before, so I would say it’s a well-rounded mix of emotions, going through it.”

As for opinions of the other contestants, Edwards was keeping her cards close to her chest.

“I think it’s hard [to make a judgement] because I’ve only ever seen the girls working and everyone brings different skillsets,” she opined. “Also, it’s task one and even when you’re on the task you’re broken into sub-teams, so I only saw Rach, Maura, Onyeka and Sam, and what they’re capable of. To be honest, we delivered what we needed to, so eyes on everybody at the moment, who knows?”

Edwards added that a team mentality is vital at such an early stage of the competition, as she hopes to go deep into the contest.

“At the moment I’m just focused on team mentality and working as a team, because that’s what it is all about,” said Edwards. “If you work as a team then you’re going to win the task, so I think to look at anyone as a rival yet would be a bit premature.”

Keep going, Flo – we’re rooting for you to go all the way!

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