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Benji Marshall’s incredible act with Celebrity Apprentice prize money

Benji Marshall was crowned winner of Celebrity Apprentice in the emotional finale – but his incredible move afterwards didn’t make it to air.

Celebrity Apprentice 2022 winner Benji Marshall has made an extraordinary announcement about his prize money.

In an interview on KIIS FM’s Will and Woody show on Wednesday afternoon, it was revealed the former NRL star had made a phone call to the radio hosts – and Apprentice castmates – shortly after the grand finale was filmed, in a scene that never made it to air.

“Something the TV show didn’t show was that Benji called me after the finale – cause I did go back to help him with the final challenge – to thank me for getting so involved in the finale,” Woody Whitelaw explained.

“He’s taken $30,000 out of the money he made, and he’s putting $30,000 in Gotcha4Life.”

Gotcha4Life is an organisation aiming to prevent suicide through programs and social connection.

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The former NRL star was declared the winner.
The former NRL star was declared the winner.
It was an emotional scene.
It was an emotional scene.

Marshall also spread the love among his other friends on the show – another $30,000 went to Samantha Jade’s charity Cancer Council Australia, $30,000 to Vince Colosimo’s Dementia Australia and $30,000 to Bronte Campbell’s Carers Australia.

During the radio interview, it emerged that Gotcha4Life had actually been Marshall’s first preference of charity to support.

“Before the show started, Will and I locked in Gotcha4Life as our charity. So all the money we raised was going to go to Gotcha4Life. Benji was late in replying to the email with what charity he wanted to do, and his first pick was Gotcha4Life,” Woody said.

“And Benji, you’ve raised money for an incredible charity in Souths Cares, and I know that’s really close to your heart … But just to compare for the poor charity of Gotcha4Life, Will and I raised $20,000 and Benji, all up, how much money did you raise?”

“$540,000,” laughed Marshall.

Radio hosts Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw appeared on the show this season.
Radio hosts Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw appeared on the show this season.

The emotional former sports star was announced as the winner of Celebrity Apprentice on Tuesday night after it was revealed he was the biggest fundraiser, beating runner-up Darren McMullen.

At their final events – which saw both contestants make a final push for fundraising for their chosen charities – Marshall raked in a whopping $387,105 in the last challenge, compared with McMullen’s $172,617.

The former NRL star was given an additional $100,000 in prize money, which he had pledged for Souths Cares.

Closely affiliated with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, it supports disadvantaged and marginalised youth and their families through education, training, health and employment.

Originally published as Benji Marshall’s incredible act with Celebrity Apprentice prize money

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/television/benji-marshalls-incredible-act-with-celebrity-apprentice-prize-money/news-story/64b71506c77ca16f88556704e251e2af