Swimwear brand owner Alan Sugar's new Apprentice

The winner of the latest series of the BBC programme The Apprentice, Sian Gabbidon, celebrates with Lord Sugar in London. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

The swimwear fashion brand owner, 26, was handed a £250,000 investment by the tycoon.

Ms Gabbidon was crowned winner after last night’s final of the 14th series saw her and runner-up Camilla Ainsworth present their business plans to more than 200 experts at London’s City Hall.

She said: “I’ve been speechless since I’ve known. I can’t believe it’s happened. Not that I didn’t think I could win it, but it’s just real. It’s crazy. I’m absolutely over the moon.”

The Leeds entrepreneur faced nut milk drink brand owner Ms Ainsworth in the boardroom, where dialogue became heated.

Ms Gabbidon added: “We went in guns blazing, both of us, we both said things about each other’s businesses, but at the end of the day I did come in this to win. I’m sure Camilla will be massively successful in whatever she does.

“For me, I wouldn’t have entered the show if I didn’t think I had it in me to win. I would say that it is very easy to underestimate how hard the tasks are. I’ll never, ever judge any of the other candidates. It’s so hard to put yourself through the tasks.

“[Working with Lord Sugar] is the biggest challenge I have ever had in my life. There’s no way I’m going to let the biggest challenge take me out. I am nervous but I’m ready.”

Ms Ainsworth, 22, said: “Although I would have loved to win, I’m just really proud of myself as the youngest ever finalist of The Apprentice.

“It takes a while to sink in but immediately I was kind of in fight mode. As a person I am very positive and optimistic.

“I gave myself a good few seconds to be quite gutted then I thought, ‘Right, reset and go again’.”

Describing herself as a “Duracell bunny” with “loads of energy”, the Lancashire businesswoman said she was hoping to use her place in the final as a platform for her work, adding: “I’m always keen to be really positive.”

She said: “It’s £250,000, it’s not pocket change. You’ve got to be out there for yourself. As much as me and Sian are bezzies, we both are massive, massive lovers of success and we both wanted to strive for that prize.”

In the final episode, the pair welcomed back the contestants Lord Sugar had fired, to help them create a video advert and billboard for their companies.

They then had to give a pitch to a group of industry experts, who shared their thoughts on the business plans with Lord Sugar.

After a final impassioned pitch from both candidates, Lord Sugar made his  decision.

He told them: “Camilla, I’ve said to you earlier on, I find you a big risk, a very, very big risk. Having said that, there is a growing market here.

“Sian, it’s a crowded market – that’s a big, big concern for me, but you are an expert in your field and you are a good designer, there’s no question of that.

“I think that yours is a growing market [Camilla], and yours is a massive market [Sian], it’s very tough for me to make a decision.

“But on reflection, Sian, you have a great aptitude and a talent for design – you’re going to be my business partner.”