APPRENTICE star Katie Bulmer-Cooke returned to her former college to give business students an inspirational talk – urging them to get out of their comfort zone.

In one of her first public engagements following her exit from the hit BBC Show, Katie visited New College Durham to talk to business students as part of an Enterprise Day.

The 28-year-old fitness entrepreneur fell victim to a double eviction by Lord Sugar, after project-managing the losing team in week ten of the high-pressure competition.

But she said she had learned invaluable lessons during the process.

Katie said: “My main message to the students, in business or otherwise, is just get outside your comfort zone. Do the things that other people might too scared to do.

“And if it makes you feel nervous it’s a good thing and it’s worth doing. Why not have a goal and do something different to what everyone is doing.

“Don’t worry about what other people think about you or worry about failure, because the worst that can happen is you will have to try and find something else to do.”

She added: “There is a lot of opportunity in this region to do well in business and it’s also a great place from which to do business nationally.

“There is no limit to what you can achieve if you just give it a shot.”

Katie, who did a sport and exercise studies at the college several years ago, said: “I think the college gave us a really good grounding and starting point.

“It was very supportive environment, helping me in my studies which I completed while running my own business.”

Katie said has always been passionate about helping people live healthily.

She added: “Healthy living can have such a massive impact on people’s lives, in so many different ways, whether it be aesthetically or mentally. There are so many benefits.

“I would love to see our region get out of the highest ranking for obesity I would love to see us fitter and healthy.

Jennifer Fullard, curriculum manager for usiness and retail at New College Durham, said: “We had a range of guest speakers today.

“Katie has encouraged students to take opportunities and grab them with both hands and to listen to advice and to develop their skills.

“With Katie being on the Apprentice, she has been able to to show students that anything is possible. You have got to put the hard work in. She has been really inspirational.”