Max power: James made the top three on The Apprentice

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James Max made it into the final three during the first series of The Apprentice and will be giving us his insight into the current series in a new weekly blog. Here he explains what it's like to be part of the smash hit reality show and how it changed his life...

To be part of The Apprentice was a real privilege and the programme has now become a part of the nation's psyche. I get recognised on the bus or when I am out shopping and it's still strange when people shout comments like "you should have won".

I agree, of course, but I didn't win for a reason. I was not what Sir Alan was looking for. That's an important lesson for this game, in business and in life too. I didn't take it personally - I gave my all and to be a semi-finalist brings great satisfaction. I am still waiting for someone to beat my record of eight team wins out of a possible ten!

The reason the show works is that the weekly tasks are challenges that you could have a go at. You delight when the teams make a complete hash of things, you feel their success when they make decisions that lead to victory and you experience the tension build as the series progresses.

Sell, sell, sell: James and Saira discuss tactics

Do I regret taking part? Not for a moment. I enjoyed every second and got to do things money cannot buy. I most certainly did not take part to become famous. You need to remember that in the first series we did not even know if it would end up on telly, let alone be a popular show. The fame aspect might have influenced subsequent applicants, but for all of us in the first series, we entered to win.

I got involved in the show after a friend emailed the application form to me. The process is quite long and drawn out. A six-page application form, followed by interviews, a screen test and a meeting with producers. If you get through that little lot, there are group exercises, psychometric testing and further interviews before the final few are selected. To be honest, I was very surprised when I received the call to tell me I was in. I was excited and daunted at the same time. You have to put your life on hold and fully commit to what could be a three-month filming process.

The characters you see are simply the characters that exist. That's what I was like and that's what I am like now. Although many hours of footage are taken to make each episode, the edited version is pretty much as it happened. There might be little bits that are edited to tell a story, but that is inevitable.

We had no mobile telephones or money for the duration of the process. Each task was run with precision by the team. Although a few things went awry from time to time, there was no manipulation by the production crew. The tension was genuine and it was emotionally and physically exhausting.

With my training in investment banking, I coped better than most. Some of the others had never had to work a task within tight time limits to achieve the seemingly impossible. You did know when Sir Alan might appear though, as the production crew would suddenly start running around in panic as he does not like to be messed about or kept waiting!

Crying wolf: It's James in that Jacket

My favourite tasks were the art task, when we selected an artist to work with, setting up and selling their work. The final task - selling goods on a home shopping channel - was probably the funniest episode and my overall favourite. For those who remember the "wolf spirit jacket" it's a true classic! That episode even won a BAFTA!

Sir Alan himself is more jovial than he's portrayed. I like and respect him, though he was a little shorter than I first envisaged him to be. As for Nick and Margaret, they are sharp, bright and very engaging. I am still in touch and it's nice to think that I have made genuine friendships with them and my fellow candidates. I genuinely got on with the others. At the time we felt we were all in it together and although there is only one winner, you can still take part and benefit from the experience.

Each week in my AOL Apprentice blog I will try to give you an insight into not only the characters as they develop but also what is going on behind the scenes. What you don't get from the TV show is how they feel. The pressures that build up arising from living away from your family and friends. How little things can blow up into almighty arguments. Although you are in it to win, you also form strong bonds with your competitors. It's hard when people you like or respect get their marching orders, even if you are still safe.

This year it's as tough as ever and now the candidates know what the prize actually is for winning, they are likely to be stronger and more ruthless to stay in the game. We were all so polite to each other. Although I would happily predict that put me in with this year's lot and I would have them for breakfast!

The experience has changed the course of my career. After the show aired, a number of people approached me to do screen tests and radio interviews. I really enjoyed the experience and now present a weekly show on London's LBC 97.3, every Sunday evening from 5 - 7pm. I also appear regularly on The Morning Report on LBC's sister station, LBC News 1152.

Every weekday afternoon I write and present The Business Update for TalkSPORT's drivetime show The Game and I also write a monthly lifestyle column for Property Week Magazine and often contribute to The Times Online and The Sunday Times amongst others.

On TV, I presented some special films for BBC2's Working Lunch programme and took part on a T4 programme called The Morning After Show with Simon Amstell and Olivia Lee. In recent months, I have started to co-present a show called Property Pensions which goes out every Thursday and Sunday evenings on Sky Channel 287 at 6.30pm. I have also presented The Max Report which is part of Ian Hyland's Harvey Goldsmith - The Encore show on E4 - 10pm every Tuesday evening.

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