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The Apprentice delivers unprecedented twist in final showdown

James White and Sarah Lynn will both receive a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar.
James White and Sarah Lynn will both receive a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Two people have been crowned joint winners of The Apprentice for the first time in the reality TV show’s history.

In an unprecedented twist, Alan Sugar was unable to choose between the two and decided it was a dead heat.

He picked both Sarah Lynn, 35, and James White, 26, to be his new business partners at the conclusion of the 12-week competition in which 18 contestants battled in and out of the boardroom.

In the final weekly challenge, the candidates had to prove they could transform their businesses into highly profitable brands. The three-day task required Lynn and White to create a brand and an advert, and deliver a final business pitch.

White’s recruitment business was deemed just as worthy of the prize as Lynn’s already successful sweets business, which she will now attempt to expand.

They will each receive a £250,000 business investment and a 50/50 partnership with the multimillionaire business mogul.

In the boardroom in London’s City Hall, Lord Sugar appeared unresolved as he interrogated both candidates on their business plans before conferring with his advisers Karren Brady and Claude Littner.

“It is quite obvious that there are two fantastically skilled people there,” he said. “Sarah is very eloquent, she knows her business inside out, although why she hasn’t done the commercial website properly, I don’t get. With James, a very, very crowded market, but he has proved that he can do it when he worked for someone.”

Littner, who joined Brady as an aide to Sugar in series 11, replacing Nick Hewer, said: “I think you have got a problem because, as it’s turned out, I think they’re both investable. With Sarah, I think you’ve got slow and steady, but with James I think you’ve got someone who’s going to go out and really go for it.”

“But James is more risky,” said Brady, the West Ham United vice-chair. “Sarah is an expert in her field; she spotted a gap in the market. She has all the skills an entrepreneur needs, but I mean, I don’t envy you.”

Ultimately, however, after hearing convincing closing arguments from both candidates, Sugar was unable to choose between the two and so doubled his investment for the first time in the 13 series.

“James – crowded market, but I’ve had some experience with a similar person of a similar age who is making a lot, a lot of money,” said Sugar. “Sarah – sweets. I don’t have any experience of your business, OK. I’m going to say that I’m a gambler and I’ve always been a gambler in business.

“This particular year, I’m going to double my investment,” he announced. “I’m going to start a business with both of you.”

Following their victory, the winners expressed their joy.

“I have always, since I was a young boy, looked up to Lord Sugar as a businessman,” said White, who runs an IT recruitment firm in Birmingham. “To now be his business partner is literally a dream that I’ve always had and for that dream to come true. It’s just very, very humbling.”

“It feels incredible,” said Lynn, a self-proclaimed “people person”. I’m just shocked and amazed and so proud that Lord Sugar found enough in both of us to make a double investment. The future is definitely sweet, and it’s going to be a great adventure.”

Lynn and White will discuss their respective ventures with Sugar in the new year.