AS the country was gripped waiting to see who would be this year's winner of The Apprentice, there was no one moreso than Suffolk man Nigel Mayhew.Mr Mayhew, from Kirton, near Felixstowe, is the uncle of finalist Kristina Grimes who was pipped to the post for the job working for millionare businessman Alan Sugar.

AS the country was gripped waiting to see who would be this year's winner of The Apprentice, there was no one moreso than Suffolk man Nigel Mayhew.

Mr Mayhew, from Kirton, near Felixstowe, is the uncle of finalist Kristina Grimes who was pipped to the post for the job working for millionare businessman Alan Sugar.

And today Mr Mayhew said he could not fault the businessman, who is known for his no nonsense attitude.

Last night viewers tuned in to watch as Kristina went head to head against Simon Ambrose in the final of the hit BBC show.

Although the series actually finished filming in November the two contestants - who have both been working for Sir Alan since January - did not know which of them had won the six-figure-salary job until Tuesday night.

Mr Mayhew, who is also Kristina's godfather, was in the studio audience with his wife Wendy and the rest of the family.

He said: “I feel very proud. Obviously Kristina wanted to win and she is very disappointed but she was magnanimous in defeat.

“She really wanted to come first and I think - because of all of the positive feedback from the media and other candidates - she was convinced she was going to succeed.

“Sir Alan has been extremely good to her - you could not wish for someone to be more caring. He's quite often in contact with Kristina and has been extremely supportive.”

Mr Mayhew, a chartered accountant and business recovery manager with Ipswich based company Ensors, was also impressed with the other candidates as he met them at the wrap party at the end of the show.

He said: “Off camera all the other candidates were really nice to each other and very genuine. Kristina and Simon are good friends and get on well.”