The unnamed candidate went through the lengthy selection process but decided to quit at the last minute, before even meeting his potential employer.
On the eve of the first boardroom briefing, the potential apprentice ducked out, leaving the boys' team one man short.
"I personally don't know who he is, I never met the fellow," said Sir Alan.
"From what I can understand there was nothing sinister about it. I think he got himself to his hotel that night and realised: 'This is it. I'm away for 12 weeks from my family, my kids…' and this, that and the other, and I think it hit home what that meant. He didn't want to be away from the family."
"It's unfortunate," he added, before joking: "I'm not bothered, it made my job easier."
Sir Alan also insisted that his television persona didn't reflect his real business style: "I'm dead easy to work for. You shouldn't believe everything you see on television."
The tycoon was unable to confirm that The Apprentice would return for a sixth season, commenting that the decision was "down to the punters," but did reveal that he is in talks with the BBC about a junior version of the show.