The brunette and the blonde

Firing the opening volley was Michelle Dewberry, the "quiet, pretty one" chosen to run a new division of Sir Alan's business empire. When grilled by The Apprentice interview panel in the penultimate instalment of the series, Ms Dewberry was every inch the calm, focused business professional. But a simmering feud between her and a rival who left the show early on has come to the boil.

All corporate code and business etiquette was jettisoned as the victor lashed out at Karen Bremner, a lawyer who many observers believe was fired from the show far too early. "I hated her. She's a cold-hearted bitch," declared Ms Dewberry, a former shop assistant. The gloves were off.

Ms Bremner, who has a string of academic qualifications and served in the Royal Air Force, struck back yesterday. Far from being a friendly, modest sort, she said, Ms Dewberry was a "silent assassin" who had achieved little during the 12-week BBC2 series that drew five million viewers.

Of the attack on her, Ms Bremner said: "By saying these things Michelle has outed herself as the type of person she is. She is cold. And calculating." She added that she was surprised that Sir Alan stuck by Ms Dewberry as she did "virtually nothing".

A combination of charm, self-preservation and pot shots at rivals in the boardroom had kept her in the game. And she had one other ace up her sleeve: she is a blonde, a factor that studies show can help to propel women to the top of the corporate ladder.

Speculating on Sir Alan's decision to get rid of another contestant from the show, Ms Bremner said: "Sir Alan clearly would rather have a Top Shop assistant than a top-level negotiator."

The spat between the pair can be traced back to the early days of the fiercely contested series.

Ms Dewberry, who had built up a successful telecoms consultancy before entering The Apprentice, and Ms Bremner, an Aberdeen University graduate, used their feminine wiles in a bid to sell the most fruit from London street stalls in an early challenge.

That tactic angered Sir Alan and ultimately led to Ms Bremner's downfall, she told The Independent on Sunday. But she claimed that her rival's subsequent success may also have been down to using sexuality.

She said that the result of the final show, in which Ms Dewberry went head-to-head with pumped-up sales specialist Ruth Badger, owed much to looks. "There's no question that aspects of what happened are related to the fact that Michelle's an attractive blonde."

Even Sir Alan's adviser had pointed out that a panel of interviewers in the episode were "seduced by Michelle", said Ms Bremner.

But the suggestion that physical allure rather than business skills triumphed anger the new apprentice, who won a £100,000-a-year job. "Did I lean over the table and show my cleavage?" she said last week. "It makes me mad that I still get that patronising crap."

Ms Bremner, 34, who lives with her son and partner near St Andrews, conceded that her rival's looks would not have cut any ice with Sir Alan himself. He was more taken with Ms Dewberry's tough upbringing, she said, and her struggle to deal with the death of a sister.

In an interview today, Ms Dewberry claimed her father had beaten her several timws. But the brunette lawyer insisted that in business, the golden locks look could be useful. "The fact that she's pretty, blonde and has big boobs has not done her any harm."

BLONDES HAVE MORE...

... money

They might be known for luring wealthy old millionaires down the aisle, but now it seems that blondes even outperform their rivals when it comes to making money themselves. They can earn up to 20 per cent more, says a study by the University of Texas.

... men

Brunettes started going green with envy 11,000 years ago, as genetic mutations produced the first blondes. At a time of intense competition for mates, blondes caught the eye of cavemen. By the 20th century, even gentlemen preferred them.

... power

A spot of peroxide might be involved in some cases, but from corporate boardrooms to the political world, blondes are taking charge - thanks to an unlikely combination of Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton and Sex and the City, say researchers.

... fun

Flowing blonde hair is an indication of youth, exuberance, zest and a vibrant outlook on life, according to one recent survey. And, of course, a wander down any high street at closing time is enough to convince most that blondes do indeed have more fun.

... but also

They do have to put up with jokes such as "What do you call a blonde with brain cells? Pregnant", and "How do you make a blonde's eyes twinkle? Shine a torch in her ear", not to mention "What do blondes and beer bottles have in common? They're both empty from the neck up." No wonder the stereotype can, according to a German university, make them more prone to depression.