Essex boy Dean Franklin made history as the first outright male winner of BBC’s The Apprentice in over a decade — but what might surprise you is that he nearly QUIT the show just two weeks before the final.

In this episode, Dean opens up about being rejected at his very first audition, only to come back a year later and beat out 80,000 other hopefuls to land Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment.

Our conversation is equal parts inspiring, revealing, and downright silly. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like being watched by six million people every week, and hear Dean reflect on his relationship with Lord Sugar — then and now.

With his winning mindset and trademark cheeky smile, it’s easy to see why Dean became a fan favourite. Expect to leave this episode smiling, inspired, and with a fresh perspective on what it really takes to go from rejection to victory.

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We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after a heart-breaking family tragedy made me realise that I should run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠

Email: ⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

How is it possible to become a full-time podcaster?

A very personal one for my first-ever mid-week upload - and my first ever solo episode.

In this episode, I talk about who I am, why I sold my company to pursue the passion I have for interviewing and creating this show, the impact of grief, what I hope to achieve, how you can get involved and more.

I don’t have plans to do solo episodes regularly, but I wanted to speak outside of the confines of an interview for a moment, directly to you - and I hope you enjoy it!

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

=====

Join our growing posse of Possibilists now by signing up to our free weekly newsletter at ⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠

You'll be the first to get interviews, see behind the scenes, be first in line for giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/richleighpod

Email: ⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠

The Project Possible website: ⁠https://www.projectpossiblepod.com

One of the UK’s leading interview podcasts*.

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment and academia.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

*Previously known as The Starting Line, before series 3.

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My upbringing was one of domestic violence, addiction, debt collectors and prison visits.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to break the cycle.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book, working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.

Using that influence, I’ve helped to raise more than £1m for sick children.

On February 7th 2025, my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. He was just 27. His note to me was addressed ‘to the dad I never had’.

In June 2025, I sold my PR agency to give 100% of myself to this project and my aim to build a community of Possibilists, dedicating myself to positivity and my passion for sharing the stories and lessons of incredible people.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, Project Possible is the show that asks the question: what is possible, for you, for me and for all of us?

=====Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.=====Follow on Instagram: http://instagram.com/richleighpodEmail: ⁠hello@projectpossiblepod.com⁠The Project Possible website: ⁠https://www.projectpossiblepod.com

How is it possible to go from working as a bouncer to starring on the most prestigious comedy show on British TV in just five years?

Join me for this first episode of the new series of Project Possible, as I chat to the hilarious Emmanuel Sonubi about a heart attack he suffered while on stage, amateur rugby antics, his career, parenting, stories from his nights on the door and much more.

Head to emmanuelstandup.com for tickets to his UK tour, Life After Near Death.

=====

We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.

The question is: how?

Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.

Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.

I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after a heart-breaking family tragedy made me realise that I should run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.

Possibilists, pull up a pew.

=====

Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at https://projectpossible.substack.com for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.

=====

Follow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod

Email: hello@projectpossiblepod.com

The Project Possible website: http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday == This week's guest is a true pioneer of mixed martial arts. Mark 'the Wizard' Weir etched his name into the history books with the fastest ever knockout on his UFC debut, the first time the promotion came to the UK in 2002. That night, UFC boss Dana white told Mark: ‘Years from now you remember this, you remember what you've done today. You just don't know what you've done yet'. Born and raised in Gloucester, England in 1967, Mark was a double taekwondo world champion by just 20 years old, becoming the youngest fighter to ever win a World Championship. Also an undefeated kickboxer, Mark was once ranked the number 1 mixed martial artist in the UK. Alongside running his gym Range Martial Arts Academy, Mark is the coach of UFC middleweight rising star Christian Leroy Duncan (you can listen to his interview from series one). Christian will be fighting on the main card of UFC 304 in Manchester this coming Saturday. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108 Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com *About The Starting Line Podcast* The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity. Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells. *About me, Rich Leigh* Your starting line doesn't have to define you. My upbringing wasn't great. But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life. At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story. By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities. Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children. Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers. *Follow The Starting Line on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow *Timestamps:*

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday ==

This week's guest is comedian, poet, performer and one half of BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage, Robin Ince.

We talked about everything from his love of books, comedy and science through to his time on tour with Ricky Gervais, working with Professor Brian Cox, his upbringing, family and neurodivergence.

A fun, sprawling conversation, just hours before Robin spoke at Cheltenham Science Festival.

Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month

Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com

Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com

*About The Starting Line Podcast*

The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.

Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.

*About me, Rich Leigh*

Your starting line doesn't have to define you.

My upbringing wasn't great.

But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life.

At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story.

By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities.Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.

Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.

*Follow The Starting Line on social media:*

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow

Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

== Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday == This week's guest is super prime estate agent Alex Bourne (joined on and off by his lovely dog, Noodles).

- Oh, and forgive the pesky gremlins and the weird intro glitch, thank you, please - Alex had a starring role in Netflix's Buying London, giving viewers a glimpse at the houses and the property market of the super rich. The Guardian gave it 0 stars out of 5, and said it was 'probably the most hateable TV show ever made'. Despite the critical reception, the show was in the top 10 Netflix shows in more than 50 countries. In this episode, we talk about family life in the public eye, as it was even before the show, social media trolling and unkindness, Alex's path from a young soap opera actor to selling houses to the richest and most famous people in the world and more. Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com *About The Starting Line Podcast* The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity. Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more. Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells. *About me, Rich Leigh* Your starting line doesn't have to define you. My upbringing wasn't great. But I remember thinking - I have to, and I CAN - break the cycle. That single thought changed my life. At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house without a penny to my name, determined to rewrite my story. By 30, I was a successful PR agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities. Using that influence, I helped to raise more than a million pounds for sick children. Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful conversations with the world's most influential entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers. *Follow The Starting Line on social media:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow