The Apprentice has never disappointed us in the hottie stakes. Each year, we’re served up some tasty cuts of prime British beef – James Hill, Alex Wotherspoon, Soloman Ahktar to name just a handful – and this year has been no exception. There’s gorgeous Scott with the perfect pecs, brooding builder Brett with the burly chest and insanely handsome private tutor Sam Curry. Ah yes, Sam. Chiselled, articulate and dreamy! Not exactly a great mathematician, but when you’re that hot, you don’t have to be.
Lord Sugar may not have chosen him as his business partner (the fool) but we at GuysLikeU couldn’t wait to get our hands on him for a chinwag. Here, the dashing chap tells us about what he has planned for the future and why he’s happy to work with kids for the rest of his life.
So The Apprentice is behind you… What actually was the business you had in mind?
I was asking for investment in a private tutoring business, Scholarly Tutoring, which I’ve now set up independently. We offer one-to-one teaching and mentoring tailored to needs of our pupils and clients. Our tutors all come from Russell Group universities and work with students throughout London, the UK and internationally. I also work professionally as an actor; I’ve got two productions coming up in the New Year, one in February and one later in the year. Following the huge success of Snottydink, Elle and I have a children’s book out now called Gobble Gruff.
You’re so young why did you want to start your own company?
I have tutored part time for over two years now. I love literature and language, so being able to share that passion with keen students who are eager to learn is a joy. For me acting and English tutoring are linked; fundamentally they’re both about communication and sharing human experience through language. Once I’d been teaching for a couple of years I began to get a lot more demand for work than I could handle all by myself so it seemed like the obvious next step to start recruiting other graduates, pairing them with families who were looking for tutors. Both my parents have their own businesses as well, so I suppose I get my entrepreneurial spirit from them.
How did you end up in this field?
I actually came to tutoring and acting through the same path. Whilst I was at university I did two theatre tours – one in Japan and the other in Europe – where we taught English as a foreign language by performing and teaching Shakespeare.
So you must be good with kids?
I hope so, I think I’m a good educator. Tutoring requires a fine balance; you need to build a rapport with your pupils, understand how they think and work, and learn what motivates them. You can’t take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, you need to adapt your methods to each child.
Would you like some kids of your own down the line?
Absolutely. Two boys ideally! Ezra and Hector. (No, I haven’t thought about this at all…)
Did The Apprentice experience put you off the business world?
Not at all. It was an amazing experience. I learnt so much from it.
You seem quite sensitive in comparison to the other contestants who were a bit cut throat? Did they scare the bejesus out of you?
Everyone has their own approach to getting what they want in life, and the show was certainly no different. I don’t think of myself as an intimidating person and didn’t want to change the way I act just to win the competition. Integrity is key in everything you do. Nonetheless, I’m a big boy, I’m not easily scared by other people!
When you were 16…. What kind of person were you?
I was definitely less self-aware and a little less confident. But isn’t every 16 year old? I’ve always been adventurous, always sociable. My family and friends have always taken a priority in my life. I was the kind of guy that did my homework the evening that it was set, played sports, acted in school plays, learnt a musical instrument so I always had a tonne of stuff going on.
What kind of pupil were you?
Super-studious. My brother is one of those annoying people who only had to do a couple of hours of revision to do well in exams. For me? As soon as revision rolled around I used to spend about 8 hours a day studying.
Were you popular at school?
I always had a good group of friends at school. I’m naturally sociable. I had a lot of house parties too which helped I suppose …
Who was your teen crush? Have you met them since?
You know, I don’t think I’ve ever had a ‘crush’ on anyone. It might sound a bit contrived but I only really start to fall for people once I’ve gotten to know them. So it’s never really felt a distant, idolised longing.
Did you have lots of boyfriends at school?
Not really. A couple perhaps. During university, sure, but less so at school. I don’t think it’s healthy to seek relationships out actively, you have to just let them happen.
Was coming out easy? What advice would you give young guys still struggling to come to terms with their sexuality?
All of life is a journey of discovery. That journey can’t be rushed. We berate ourselves and congratulate ourselves all the times for things and it’s dangerous: all experiences are beneficial however good or bad they feel at the time, because they develop your individuality. Make decisions in life that you feel in your gut are right for you: that way, whatever the outcome, you can’t criticise yourself too harshly. However cliche it sounds maintain your integrity, act in a way that you feel to be right. Life happens at an individual pace and we constantly use the path of other people as a yardstick by which to measure our own lives. I think that’s dangerous.
What were your career aspirations at this point or did you always want to do what you do now?
I knew I wanted to act from a young age. People don’t fall into it. It’s too difficult an industry to get into to just fall into. Teaching came later in life. That was something I discovered. I don’t think I could teach in a school though. I like running my business and having multiple projects on the go at once.
Who was the person who inspired you most back then?
I’ve always been incredibly close to my family. They’ve always been a massive source of inspiration to me. I’m lucky to have three best friends that I’m related to.
What would you say to your 16 year old self now?
Keep your faith in yourself. It will work out.
You have a good bod. How do you keep fit?
I’m a gym freak. I’m addicted. Completely addicted.
What’s your daily food in take?
It’s so sporadic. I’m on the move a lot so I eat out a lot. I’m usually fairly healthy but then end up destroying all the good work I’ve done by binging on mountains of chocolate.
Do you drink a lot or have you cut out drinks for health reasons?
I drink moderately, I’d say. I love finding new bars and cafés in London. I guess that’s just the way it is living in the city, you’re always bumping into friends, meeting up for drinks, catching-up.
You can buy Sam’s book here: