The fellowship is no longer for underrepresented candidates

This might be the case for the per-service groups in London (RPO, LPO, LSO, Philharmonia), but the rest of the orchestras throughout the UK follow a process very similar to the rest of continental europe: CV Round, screened first round, second or third round (possibly unscreened), then trial work. Jobs do often go to insiders, but with such a small labor pool that can be expected. Also outside of London per-service orchestras, it's common to have the standard 4-5 rehearsals per cycle and members are full-time salaried employees.

Brendan Fitzgerald won Assistant Principal. There was no runner up and the resulting vacancy was not filled.

also curious