Apprentice star fired from real-life job

The self-proclaimed alpha-female of the UK version of The Apprentice, who turned down the chance of a ￡100,000 job working for Sir Alan Sugar, has been fired from her real-life job.

Katie Hopkins, 32, who was last week seen sensationally quitting the BBC show despite being offered a place in this week's final, has been told she no longer has a job with the Meteorological Office.

The outspoken contestant, as much a feature in the media for her bedroom exploits as her boardroom coups, was told on Monday that her brand consultant's role had come to an end.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: "Her employment has been terminated."

"Like all new civil service employees, she had a period of probation. She has failed to reach the required standard.

"New entrants are expected to keep a standard on attendance, performance, time-keeping and conduct."

Media reports said Hopkins is considering taking the Met Office to an industrial tribunal.

She had boasted on the programme of lying and cheating to "get someone else's husband because I wanted him", had recently been photographed in a naked clinch with a married fellow Met Office worker in a cornfield.

Viewers had been shocked by her outspoken views during the programme. She had made disparaging remarks about northerners and wished death upon some of her fellow contestants.

The single mother of two had turned down a place in the final to return to her young family in Exeter.