Apprentice winner faces huge fine in rogue trader probe after his air-con firm is accused of not being licensed

THE Apprentice champ Dean Franklin is at the centre of a rogue trader probe over his show-winning business.

Millions saw him triumph last week by impressing Lord Sugar with air-con firm ADL.

PAThe Apprentice winner Dean Franklin, pictured with Lord Sugar, may need his £250,000 show prize to pay a massive fine[/caption] The self-styled Daddy Cool is grappling with claims he operated air-con firm ADL minus a licence Dean with units for ex-Spurs striker Lucas Moura

But Essex-based Dean, 34, is accused of not having a key licence for 17 months.

The self-styled Daddy Cool may need his £250,000 show prize to pay a massive fine.

The Married dad-of-two is accused of not obtaining an F-Gas certificate for ADL over a 17-month period.

It is required to ensure fluorinated gases used in air-con units are handled properly.

The firm faces possible civil prosecution by regulator the Environment Agency which can impose fines of up to £200,000 per breach.

BBC bosses appear to have not picked up on the row in the candidate selection process ahead of Thursday’s final.

Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke said: “This is an embarrassment for the BBC.

“Their reality shows seem to be lacking in carrying out due diligence, leaving them open to scandal after scandal.”

Around 3.5million viewers saw Dean, of Hornchurch, Essex, face pizza firm boss Anisa Khan in the final.

Dean told how ADL had a £500,000 turnover and £171,000 net profit.

He agreed to give up his 50 per cent share to Lord Sugar.

Refcom and the F-Gas ­Register, which issue certificates on behalf of the Environment Agency, say ADL did not have one from forming in May 2020, until October 2021.

In that time Dean posted pictures of him proudly delivering units to clients including ex-Spurs striker Lucas Moura.

Dozens of reviews praise Upminster-based ADL in the same period.

One customer wrote: “Dean and the lads were very good.”

Another added: “Dean is an expert. Highly recommend.”

Graeme Fox, F-Gas Register scheme director, said: “If a company was operating without a valid certificate, it would have been trading illegally until it was registered.”

‘POTENTIAL BREACH’

Sources said Dean was not made a director of ADL until April 2021.

However, he became a 50 per cent shareholder in May 2020 and was described from the start on Companies House documents as “a person with significant control”.

Sources said the licence for Dean’s previous firm DF Air Conditioning would not cover the trading of ADL.

DF Air held one from March 2020 until it dissolved in October 2021.

The Environment Agency said: “We are clear that it is against the law to work with F-Gas without the correct qualifications and certification.

“We are investigating reports of a potential breach.”

Dean told us: “I’m not aware of any review or investigation. I’ve been F-Gas certified since 2014 and have the necessary qualifications for my work.”

The BBC declined to comment.

PAA Tory MP said the rogue trader probe is an ’embarrassment for the BBC’[/caption] The advert for Dean’s business