Trump tells Apprentice sidekick 'you're fired'

Donald Trump (C) with George Ross (L) and Carolyn Kepcher on an earlier series of The Apprentice.

Carolyn Kepcher, a Trump organization executive famous for her role as a tough-talking judge on the hit television reality show The Apprentice, is no longer with the company, a Trump representative has confirmed.

The representative declined further comment, but the New York Post said Donald Trump's TV sidekick was fired after spending too much time cultivating her own celebrity with speaking engagements.

"She became a prima donna," an insider told the Post.

"Being on 'The Apprentice' went to her head. She was no longer focused on business. She was giving speeches for US$25,000 and doing endorsements."

Kepcher had been with the real estate mogul for more than 10 years, most recently serving as chief operating officer of Trump National Golf Club in Westchester, New York, and helping manage another Trump golf club in New Jersey.

Trump's daughter Ivanka will replace Kepcher on The Apprentice, and his son Don Jr. will replace the show's other judge, George Ross, the Post said.

Trump would confer with Kepcher and Ross each week before deciding which corporate wannabe seeking a full-time job with Trump would have to hear his curt signature phrase, "You're fired!"

Ross, a 78-year-old real estate lawyer, remains with the Trump organization, a Trump spokeswoman said.

As well as cashing in on her Apprentice fame through speaking engagements, Kepcher wrote a book, "Carolyn 101: Business Lessons from The Apprentice's Straight Shooter."

Phone calls to Kepcher's representatives were not immediately returned.

- REUTERS