STUART BAGGS' ability to speak German paid dividends in tonight's episode of The Apprentice seeing the Island businessman sail through to the next round of the competition.

This week, week eight, saw the two teams embark on a two day foreign business trip.

Pondering the location Stuart declared: "I don't think Lord Sugar's going to be nice to us so he might be sending us somewhere completely obscure. I think either a war zone or somewhere hot – a hot war zone?"

In fact Lord Sugar's destination of choice was Hamburg in Germany and the two teams were tasked with creating and selling two new flavours of crisps.

Stuart, on Team Apollo for a second week, quickly made it clear that he would not be putting himself forward as project manager and declared: "I'm going to rule myself out straight away. I'm absolutely knackered from last week."

Tactical Stuart voted for colleague Stella to take on the role and said: "Just because I voted for her that doesn't mean that she's the best person for the job nor in fact is she a very good project manager. If we win we will all be on a treat and if we lose Stella will be going home in a black cab. Really I can't lose in this task."

Stuart and colleague Joanna took to the streets in Hamburg to conduct market research into potential flavours for their new range of savoury snacks. Quickly noticing a gap in the market for a sausage flavour Stuart decided it was necessary to sample a wide variety and exclaimed: "I don't think it's wrong to say we are enjoying this market research."

Despite his and Joanna's best attempts to persuade project manager Stella and colleague Laura that sausage flavour crisps were the way forward the girls decided to stick to decidedly more British flavours of Stilton and Paprika and Chilli and Beef.

In a brave but wise move Stuart decided that he would speak to potential buyers in German. He said: "We must make an attempt at speaking the language. I must sound so stupid to them but I think it's slightly endearing that I actually try."

Telecoms entrepreneur Stuart appeared confident and assured as he got to grips with the German language. Aided with a pocket dictionary he demonstrated his counting skills in a taxi with Joanna and then decided to call himself "Herr Baggs" when calling to arrange appointments.

In front of a major European food distributor Stuart stayed true to his word. Helpfully aided by subtitles viewers saw the 21 year old tell the buyer: "Good morning I'm Stuart and this is my male colleague Laura. We are pleased and here to be."

Despite the mishap the buyer was positively taken aback and responded: "Oh my god you're speaking in German that's great."

Stuart remained calm and level headed when team mate Laura took umbrage with colleagues Stella and Joanna when they took one of the appointments that the pair had lined up.

With Laura getting increasingly frustrated Stuart told her: "It's disappointing that they've just robbed our appointment. Let's not give up. This is how business works - people are constantly out to get you."

Team Apollo remained victorious for a second week when back in the boardroom Lord Sugar revealed that the team had won with sales of more than 19,000 euros.

However Stuart was not quite off the hook with his potential boss when aide Nick Hewer dropped him in. Nick told Lord Alan "Stuart declared himself knackered" to which Lord Alan commented "hair brained or Herr Baggs?"

The Apprentice continues next Wednesday, December 1, at 9pm on BBC 1.

What did you think of Stuart's performance? Do you think he would make a good apprentice? Let us know by leaving your comments below