Readers will know Brian Purcell as Bill Cullen's right-hand man on TV3's The Apprentice. But what you won't know is the PR man is a champion show jumper trained by no less than Cian O'Connor.

"I took up show jumping about five years ago after I wrecked my knee playing rugby. It's something I've really got passionate about," he said.

Passionate enough to buy a horse called Oscar with O'Connor, who he credits with a number of amateur competition wins under his tutelage.

"Cian is an old friend of mine. When it comes to drive and determination he's a guy at the top of his game.

"I've no doubt he'll be winning a gold medal at the next Olympics."

Meanwhile, Purcell (38) says his mum is delighted with his role on The Apprentice because she thinks it might lead to a marriage proposal.

"I've been single for a while and my mother has been literally lighting candles each week. She thinks The Apprentice could lead to me meeting my perfect match."