THE chief of a North-East car dealership has received a mixed response from the public after appearing on a reality TV show.

Mike Porritt, director of motor chain Carshock, might have found fame when he starred in Channel 4's Boss Swap this week, but not everyone has warmed to him

Viewers tuned in on Tuesday to see the 44-year-old motor dealer switch roles with London estate agent Bruce Burkitt for two weeks.

But neither of the men lasted the full fortnight - Mr Burkitt was sacked from the Darlington Carshock branch, while Mr Porritt found no one would work for him at Lynx Estate Agency after sacking Mr Burkitt's wife, Debbie.

The programme has triggered a torrent of praise and criticism from some of the two million people who have logged on to Carshock's website.

Hundreds of e-mails have been left on the company's Internet message board, some condemning Mr Porritt's "sexist" attitude and others applauding his performance on the hour-long programme.

But Mr Porritt, who launched Carshock 18 months ago, is pleased about the publicity the show brought and said it was just a bit of fun.

Staff at the Darlington dealership, in McMullen Road, are also pleased to see the return of their boss.

One worker said he was desperate to see the back of Mr Burkitt, describing him as an "arrogant, egotistical man".

He said: "Everybody gave him a chance but he was so up himself and arrogant that he got everybody's backs up. I was glad when he got the sack."