Michaels Named Celebrity Apprentice

Rocker BRET MICHAELS showed he’s the ultimate survivor when he appeared on the live finale of U.S. reality TV show THE APPRENTICE on Sunday (23May10) just days after suffering a minor stroke and overcoming a near-fatal brain haemorrhage - and won the big prize.

Michaels had to briefly pull out of the show when he first fell ill in April (10) and underwent an emergency appendectomy - but that was just the beginning of the diabetic rocker’s health nightmare.

On 21 April (10), a severe headache sent him to hospital, where medics diagnosed bleeding on the brain.

For five days, the Poison star fought for his life at a hospital in Arizona, and then, as he was at home recuperating he suffered a mini-stroke.

Last week (ends21May10), he was diagnosed with a hole in the heart.

But, after discharging himself from hospital, he jetted to New York for The Apprentice finale after a final health hiccup - he was forced to make a stop over in Nashville, Tennessee after complaining of “a headache, lower back pain and some cramping in his legs” on the flight.

After medical attention, he reboarded the private jet bound for New York.

The Apprentice host, businessman Donald Trump, had no idea if Michaels would make it to the Big Apple until just hours before the show.

He kicked off the live finale by telling the studio audience and fans at home, “I’m happy to announce Bret Michaels is here with us tonight.”

The rock star and actress Holly Robinson Peete beat out 12 other celebrities, including Sharon Osbourne and Cyndi Lauper, to compete in the finale.

Reigning Celebrity Apprentice winner Joan Rivers, who was a special guest on the finale, admitted she was impressed with Michaels’ spirit. She said, “Bret, you talk about no sick days… (He had) the determination to come back from death’s door. To say, ‘I’m gonna be here and this is where I have to be…’ I find this extraordinary.”

The rocker gingerly hobbled onto the show’s live stage to hugs from his fellow contestants and a standing ovation from the studio audience, and revealed his doctors didn’t want him to be on the show.

He joked, “Lately, it seems that me just standing up is risking my life… It’s been crazy for about a month and a half. I thought I was healthy… It’s been a risk, but I wanted to be here tonight.”

The rocker won $250,000 (£156,250) for his diabetes charity from beverage company Snapple.