Our Kate homes in on Apprentice prize
Pride of Cannock Kate Walsh will have the nation glued to their seats on Sunday night when she goes head to head with Yasmina Siadatan in the final of The Apprentice.
A triple firing on last night's show saw James McQuillan, Lorraine Tighe and Debra Barr get the boot from the BBC1 show. With Yasmina scraping in ahead of Debra, Kate's odds with bookmaker William Hill are 1/3, with Yasmina at 5/2. It makes blonde Kate the hottest favourite ever in an Apprentice final, despite Sir Alan Sugar referring to her as "a bit robotic".
The 27-year-old's impressive performance in the dreaded interview round saw her sail through as all of her rivals took significant hits from their interrogators, who included Birmingham City FC managing director Karren Brady.
Speaking from her Hednesford home, Kate's mother Sue, aged 53, said she was delighted she had made it to the final.
"I am obviously very proud. I knew she would do it. It was very emotional watching the programme last night. It was terrific.
"She gave a fantastic performance in the interviews and has always gave good answers," said Sue, a teaching assistant at Moorhill Primary School, Cannock.
Stacey Falamarzi, assistant headteacher at Blake High School, Hednesford, said: "Kate Walsh was a popular student who was a strong achiever during her time at Blake.
"She was well-liked, and contributed much to the school. Staff regarded her as a high-flier and recognised that she had potential.
"It's wonderful to see her doing so well on The Apprentice, and we wish her the best of luck in the final."
Former employer Zac Zachariou, boss at Pye Green Fish Bar, in Hednesford will be among those willing on Kate, who now lives in Hampshire.
Mr Zachariou has said she could have her old job back, although he may have to fork out a bit more than the £3-an-hour she earned.
He said: "She was a top notch employee and a real saleswoman. If someone ordered fish and chips, she would ask if they wanted a pickled egg with it."
