THE mother of The Apprentice finalist Ruth Badger said she knows her daughter has what it takes to win the hit business reality TV show and scoop the prize of a £100,000-a-year job.

Edna Hall, who is a full-time union rep in Worcester, said her 28-year-old daughter was born with ambition and will not stop until she reaches her goal of working for self-made millionaire Sir Alan Sugar.

But while the nation has to wait until tomorrow night's final episode to find out whether Ruth or her fellow finalist Michelle Dewberry land the lucrative job, Ruth and her family and friends will find out when Sir Alan's "You're hired" decision is filmed later today.

Mrs Hall said she was both excited and nervous for her daughter who had been working towards this day since entering The Apprentice mansion last September.

She said: "When Ruth said she was applying for the programme we were initially surprised. We would have been proud of her whatever she did, and always thought that she was successful, anyway."

Mrs Hall said Ruth has shown that she has what it takes to deal with the pressure of working as Sir Alan's apprentice by dealing with a number of stressful situations over the last few months.

As well as succeeding in the exhausting tasks on the programme, Ruth is also going through a divorce, selling her house and having to deal with tabloid press speculation that she is a lesbian - claims which Mrs Hall says are ridiculous.

"Just having to deal with one of those things would take it out of anyone, but all together it's been a lot for her. But her fellow contestants have all been really supportive and I think it has made her even stronger," she added.

"The TV programme has put her across as a steely and determined young businesswoman, but what they haven't shown is her lighter side.

"She's very funny and very smiley and radiates energy throughout any room."

Mrs Hall revealed that the last few months have taken their toll on Ruth, who now has a throat infection.

But she said her daughter is looking forward to whatever lies ahead for her.

"She has thought through both scenarios very deeply and is pleased that she has got this far.

"Even if she doesn't win, she has received lots of lucrative offers over and above Sir Alan's. But we are all rooting for her."

Find out if Ruth becomes The Apprentice on BBC2 at 9pm tomorrow night.