There was a shock in last night's episode of The Apprentice, as for the first time TWO of the contestants were fired by Alan Sugar for failing their task.

Ifti Chaudri and Rory Laing got the chop after their team lost out in the task which required both sets of businesspeople to make dog accessories.

Ifti was the first to be sacked after he admitted to missing his family, while Rory was then taken by surprise and also sacked for his management of the team and their failure.

Alan Sugar, writing in today's Mirror, was left bemused at Rory's David Brent-like behaviour.

"What amazed me even more is that he actually persuaded the plonkers on his team to take off their jackets and ties before a so-called brainstorming session!" he wrote.

That means that three men have now been fired since the third series began last week.