The Apprentice’s Aaron Willis reflects on his mental health battle while working in the RAF

Aaron Willis reflected on his mental health battle on Instagram on Tuesday as he detailed the impact of working in war zone at an RAF Flight Operations Instructor.

The 38-year-old from Chorley is currently starring on the latest series on The Apprentice, having left the force to start his own security business.

Aaron shared a throwback snap in military uniform as he described how the harrowing experience left him feeling ‘scared, lonely and homesick’.

Open: Aaron Willis reflected on his mental health battle on Instagram on Tuesday as he detailed the impact of working in war zone at an RAF Flight Operations Instructor

The businessman captioned the post: ‘It’s scary what a smile can hide.

‘This smile was hiding that I WAS scared, lonely, homesick and anxious of being in a war zone for the very first time!

‘A smile is so easy to fake! I had my mates check on me and all it took was ‘How you feeling mate!’

Mental health: Aaron shared a throwback snap in military uniform as he described how the harrowing experience left him feeling ‘scared, lonely and homesick’

Determined: The 38-year-old from Chorley is currently starring on the latest series on The Apprentice, having left the force to start his own security business

‘If you do one thing today…. CHECK IN ON YOUR MATES, FAMILY AND CLOSE ONES. IT COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU DO!’

Aaron is one of the contestants competing for a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar into his business.

Detailing why the business magnate should pick him as his partner, he said:  ‘My strongest point is that I can sell to anybody and I think that’s the reason why my business will be a success, because people will buy from me.’

Last Thursday, Conor Gilman was the second contestant to be fired on The Apprentice after Aaron led the task with Conor as project manager.

The 28-year-old former rugby player suffered an early exit from the BBC show after the boys team failed to impress Lord Sugar.

During the episode, the candidates were tasked with creating a brand-new electric toothbrush aimed at children, as well as an accompanying app that encourages them to brush their teeth. But Conor’s efforts failed to impress in the boardroom and he’s become the second contestant to leave the series.

‘Can they do it a turd time next week!’: The Apprentice fans mocked the boys’ toothbrush design with hilarious memes as Conor Gilsenan (pictured) was the latest to be fired

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz after his exit was announced, Conor said: ‘I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself, but I will live to fight another day.’

Conor also suggested that he was harshly treated by Lord Sugar.

He explained: ‘I reckon I would have a pretty strong case for unfair dismissal against Lord Sugar if I took him to the court room.’

Connor was forced to retire from rugby due to injury, and he’s now focused on his business ambitions.

Hopeful: Aaron is one of the contestants competing for a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar into his business