He is already the best known Apprentice candidate – having found fame in the noughties as one half of the UK garage band Architechs.
But now, contestant Tre Lowe’s wife says he also has the grit and determination to win the new series after overcoming a series of hardships far tougher than any the show can throw at him.
Three years ago this week, Tre suffered the pain of losing his brother Ashley Akabah – his ‘soul-mate’ and the beloved bandmate he released a string of hits with, including the 2000 smash-hit Body Groove.
Enas, 33, says: ‘We have both experienced so much grief. Making a difference to other people’s lives is really what that drives us both.’
Touching briefly on Ashley’s loss, she says: ‘Ashley died right at the beginning of Covid – before people really knew what it really was. Losing his brother, his soulmate, a fellow artist – impacted Tre deeply. But the rest is for Tre himself to talk about.
The Apprentice star Tre Lowe’s past heartbreak has been revealed with the musician losing his brother to covid and battling disapproving family to marry his beloved wife Enas
Tre’s wife says he also has the grit and determination to win the new series after overcoming a series of hardships far tougher than any the show can throw at him
Tre made his Apprentice debut when the new series launched on Thursday evening
Enas, 33, says: ‘We have both experienced so much grief. Making a difference to other people’s lives is really what that drives us both’
Tre and Enas enjoy a lavish lifestyle
‘Being there and just listening was what I did. To go through that heartbreak, together, was such a big thing…
‘I lost my father to a stroke in 2015 and my family went back to our country – Libya – while I stayed in the UK and had to start from nothing…
‘I remember feeling abandoned and scared. And I remember going for coaching with Tre and him saying to me, ‘what are you going to create now? You can do anything’.’
Despite being friends for six years before getting engaged in 2022, Enas says some of her family also disapproved of their relationship – because of their different, cultural backgrounds.
The self-starter – who came to the UK as a Libyan refugee in 2011 and has gone from working as a Croydon cashier in Sports Direct to running a successful beauty agency and becoming a refugee advocate – admits: ‘Just getting married was a huge thing for us because it just felt so impossible at the beginning…
‘We ruled it out for many years because I was from Liyba and Tre is British, of Nigerian heritage. My family did not approve at all…
‘People from my country marry other people from my country. When we first came to Britain I had to fight for a right to live here…
‘When I won my appeal the rest of my family returned to Libya and cut me off. I felt totally abandoned but when I met Tre he showed me what was possible…
Despite being friends for six years before getting engaged in 2022, Enas says some of her family also disapproved of their relationship – because of their different, cultural backgrounds
‘I went from earning £750 a month and living in a two room flat with a friend in Thornton Heath to building my fashion and beauty agency, Arabella, and making incredible connections and friendships…
‘I have learnt that, when you are at rock bottom, you have nothing to lose.’
Speaking ahead of tonight’s new series – which sees Tre and 17 other candidates head to the Scottish Highlands to set up a corporate away-day, Enas says: ‘Contributing and creating a legacy because of the pain we have experienced – from losing people, from having people not believing in us, from creating things from scratch – that’s what keeps us going.’
Enas and Tre, who now live in London’s affluent Notting Hill, married last July.
But the build-up to the wedding was not without drama – after she convinced him to sign-up to the show.
Some of Enas’ pals were convinced Tre, 49, had been slung in jail – after he disappeared in the run-up to their wedding to secretly film the long-running BBC series.
She jokes: ‘We had this cover story that Tre was seeing family in Nigeria and he couldn’t access his phone and make calls but, of course, a lot of people didn’t believe me…
‘Then I was with one of my best friends when I received a letter from him – which he’d been allowed to send. She could see this huge smile on my face…
Enas and Tre, who now live in London’s affluent Notting Hill, married last July
The pair first met in 2016 through mutual friends at a book club hosted at London’s Soho House
‘But she just looked at me and said, ‘Enas, he is not in Nigeria! He wouldn’t send you a letter from there. He’s in jail!…
‘I don’t know what she thought he’d done but she just didn’t believe our story, so I was really relieved when I could tell people he’d just been filming a TV show!’.
The pair first met in 2016 through mutual friends at a book club hosted at London’s Soho House.
She admits: ‘When we first met he didn’t talk to me any differently to the men in the room. In fact, he was most interested in talking to my cousin about property. I felt left out!’ she smiles.
‘But then I definitely knew I found him attractive because he was offering motivational coaching and I remember finding any excuse to be coached by him. We were friends for six years and then, we just clicked, and we thought, ‘shall we just give it a go?’.
‘I was attracted to him from the get-go and he always says the same thing now, but we both ruled out getting together because of our backgrounds and because we had other relationships and things going on.’
Tre proposed on Enas’ 30th birthday – getting a friend to cover her flat in roses before proposing with a diamond engagement ring
Tre proposed on Enas’ 30th birthday – getting a friend to cover her flat in roses before proposing with a diamond engagement ring.
But it turned out to be the first of two rings he had to get before the wedding.
Enas explains: ‘He got me a beautiful diamond ring but I lost it. To this day I don’t know what happened. But he was very calm with me about it because he knew how upset I was! He then bought me another one!’
They were married at The Ned – an exclusive private members’ club in London – in July.
Among the 200 guests was one of Tre’s longterm pals, the TV presenter Sarah-Jane Crawford. A picture of Tre’s late brother adorned the wall – in tribute to him.
Knowing Tre would be away in the weeks running up to their big day, the pair recruited two wedding planners and Tre did lots of organising.
But Enas admits: ‘My family wasn’t on-board originally. My mother was against me marrying outside my country.
‘Having those conversations with my family while he was away was really difficult and I really missed Tre not being there at that time. I’m not going to pretend it didn’t impact me.’
It was only the day before their wedding that Enas’ mother had her visa to the UK granted and was able to fly to the wedding from Libya
It was only the day before their wedding that Enas’ mother had her visa to the UK granted and was able to fly to the wedding from Libya.
She quickly changed her opinion of Tre once she got to know him.
Enas explains: ‘I love my mum and family but I stand for things I believe in and I believe in Tre. I knew they would come around and they did. Mum loves him now because she stayed after the wedding and got to really meet him.
‘She comes from a background where it’s fearful to do something you’re not expected to do, so I have compassion for her…
‘But as soon as she got over for fear she loves who Tre is. Now she loves speaking to him more than me and they have this amazing bond…
‘Her walking me down the aisle was a surprise for everyone and it was a magical day where we got to celebrate our cultures.’
Despite Tre aleady having found fame, Enas admits: ‘As much as Tre is successful he’s nowhere near as successful as Lord Sugar…
Enas encouraged Tre to sign-up, telling him: ‘Just be yourself’
‘No one can deny the power of having an investment from him and the impact it can have on their brand and business. And, as much as the fame can be a good thing, it can also be hard.’
Enas encouraged Tre to sign-up, telling him: ‘Just be yourself.’
She says: ‘He did not get approached. He applied like everyone else.
‘I was obsessed with the programme. I was watching Season 17 all the time and so he was coming to watch it with me. And Tre had bought Lord Sugar’s book so I said, ‘Tre, why don’t you do it?’. And he was actually very open to that.’
Now Enas thinks he has what it takes to win Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment and partner with him.
She says: ‘He has tasted fame before but with that he’s had challenges. People will form ideas and there’s not so much privacy…
‘But his love for people is very strong. I hope people will relate to him. He is very loving, soft and generous and he really cares about people so I hope that the public, and Lord Sugar, see that in him.’
The Apprentice, Thursdays 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer
Now Enas thinks he has what it takes to win Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment and partner with him
THE APPRENTICE 2024: MEET THE CANDIDATES
Amina Khan
Occupation: Pharmacist and Business Owner
Location: Ilford
Amina has been a qualified pharmacist for over a decade, in which time she has created a successful skincare and supplements business.
Flo Edwards
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
Location: London
Flo revealed that she started her own consultancy, making her ready to tackle Lord Sugar.
Foluso Falade
Occupation: Project Manager
Location: Manchester
Foluso brands herself the ‘Mary Poppins of business’ and revealed that her aim is to run the first Social Enterprise to win Lord Sugar’s investment.
Maura Rath
Occupation: Owner, Yoga Company
Location: Wexford
Maura is taking the edge as a yoga teacher into her appearance.
Noor Bouziane
Occupation: Owner, Jewellery Company
Location: Liverpool
Ambitious owner of a premium jewellery company Noor professed that she will generate a wealth of cash for Lord Sugar thanks to the unique nature of her business.
Onyeka Nweze
Occupation: Chartered Company Secretary
Location: London
Onyeka revealed her plan is to be the first tech business investment made by Lord Sugar in eighteen series.
Rachel Woolford
Occupation: Boutique Fitness Studio Owner
Location: Leeds
Business-minded from a very young age, Rachel has plenty of experience managing her work independently. As well as her hard work in the office, she also shares her fitness triumphs on social media including running the New York Marathon in 2019.
Raj Chohan
Occupation: Mortgage Broker
Location: Leamington Spa
Raj admits that while she is a grafter, she is determined to have fun while working – as illustrated on her fun-filled Instagram account. A self-confessed ‘dog with a bone’ when meeting her targets, she wants to hit a gap in the market and will do whatever it takes for success.
Sam Saadet
Occupation: Pre and Post Natal Fitness Coach
Location: Essex
Sam revealed her friends call her a real Del Boy for being ‘part-wheeler dealer’ as well as her eye for a bargain. An online fitness coach with a focus on mums and mums-to-be, she’s hoping to prove her business brain to Lord Sugar.
Dr. Asif Munaf
Occupation: Owner, Wellness Brand
Location: Sheffield
Asif boldly describes himself as ‘Beauty, brains, body and business’ on his CV. The qualified doctor’s business plan focuses on vitamins and supplements.
Jack Davies
Occupation: Recruitment Director
Location: Bristol
As well as his work as a recruitment director, Jack also acts as a food reviewer, meaning he is ready with diverse knowledge and skills for challenges.
Oliver Medforth
Occupation: Sales Executive
Location: Yorkshire
Oliver’s background in selling at markets has him looking forward to the famous sales tasks. He is often seen plugging his wares on social media – particularly his gin range.
Paul Bowen
Occupation: Director, Pie Company
Location: Lancashire
One of two pie company experts entering the process, Paul prides his business on big name clients such as Manchester City Football Club.
Dr. Paul Midha
Occupation: Owner, Dental Group
Location: Leeds
Paul started his practice using every resource he had. Used to extensive learning from studying as a dentist, Paul is set on Lord Sugar’s investment and all that he can teach him about the world of business.
Phil Turner
Occupation: Owner, Pie Company
Location: Bognor Regis
Phil was awarded ‘Supreme Pie Champion’ in 2020 for his family-owned pie business, which dates back to the 1930s. He’s hoping to prove himself to Lord Sugar and start making him some real dough.
Steve Darken
Occupation: Management Consultant
Location: London
Steve claims that he shares Lord Sugar’s sharp mind and sense of humour. Consulting for ‘some of the biggest companies in the world’, he’s ready to take on the boardroom.
Tre Lowe
Occupation: Music & Wellness Entrepreneur
Location: London
Tre has had his previous tastes of fame, including in the UK garage band named Architechs. His Instagram account is a who’s who of the showbiz world, including snaps with Simon Cowell and Emily Ratajkowski.
Virdi Singh Mazaria
Occupation: Music Producer
Location: Leicester
DJ Virdi wants to introduce Lord Sugar to world he’s yet to invest in – music. His life is certainly filled with luxury as he shares frequent snaps on flash holidays and in front of pricey motors.