Two more candidates left The Apprentice on Thursday night, leaving just five hopefuls vying for Lord Sugar’s investment.

East London estate agent Kieran McCartney was the first to leave, honouring a deal struck with Lord Sugar last week in which he pledged to leave if his team failed to secure a victory as project manager.

Student wellbeing adviser Rothna Akhtar, meanwhile, expressed her “disappointment” at being fired, stating she was “so close” to the end of the process.

The teams were tasked with creating a new pet product and an accompanying social media campaign to present to major UK retailers.

The episode also featured a cameo from former Made In Chelsea star Zara McDermott, who helped the candidates with their social media campaigns.

Speaking about his exit, McCartney said: “I think I am quite loud and out there and I am quite an easy person to blame if it all goes wrong because I put my ideas out, whereas some people don’t get noticed as much.

“I could have stayed if I fought for my spot.”

He added that his highlights on the show were when he teamed up with his fellow candidate Lawrence Rosenberg, and recalled moments with him as “hilarious” and “great fun”.

Akhtar, who is also from east London, was sacked by Lord Sugar as she was unable to sell any products during her team’s pitches.

“It was disappointing in that immediate moment, but it wasn’t a complete shock because I was standing against Dan (Miller), who I knew had a really good business,” she said, speaking about her fellow candidates’ student recruitment company.

Akhtar added: “I was in shock because I was so close to the final five and I just felt this wave of disappointment.

“But slight relief because it’s an intense process. It was gut-wrenching when you’re so close to making the final five.”

Reflecting on her experience on the show, Akhtar recalled the task in week five when she was nominated as project manager and led her team to victory.

She said: “I didn’t think I could do it, but I was very proud of myself and I think that will forever be a solid memory that I’ll hold for the rest of my life.”

Akhtar would have expanded her bakery business if she had won the programme, while McCartney would have created his own estate agent business.

The winner of the latest series of The Apprentice will be awarded £250,000 of investment into their company and the opportunity to go into business with Lord Sugar.

The Apprentice returns on BBC One next Thursday at 9pm.