BORIS Johnson celebrated apprenticeships at the official opening of a Premier Inn and Beefeater in his Uxbridge constituency today.

The hotel and restaurant were built in six weeks on land at Riverside Way that had laid empty for more than four years.

It is the first completed project in Apprentice star Gary Poulton’s new role developing projects within the M25.

“Mr Corporate has gone from Tesco to Whitbread,” said the series 11 semi-finalist, who insisted he had not applied for the hit BBC show for the fame.

“If I was going down the reality TV star route - well, I probably wouldn’t get on Love Island,” joked the entrepreneur, who said he is still in touch with fellow contestants.

He joined Mayor of London Mr Johnson and Hillingdon Council Leader Raymond Puddifoot in meeting employees, many of whom have been reintroduced to the workforce by Hillingdon’s Jobcentre Plus.

Mum Tanya Gibson, 26, was delighted with her new front of house role in the restaurant.

“It doesn’t feel like you are going to work,” she said. “When you’re appreciated, it’s easy to go the extra mile.”

Mr Johnson said it was ‘wonderful to see dynamism coming into the local economy’.