The anticipation is mounting as The Apprentice prepares to crack open its 19th series on BBC One come January 30, 2025. With an intriguing tapestry of business challenges lined up, the series promises not just to entertain but to challenge the wits and skills of its contenders.
At the helm, as always, is the formidable Lord Alan Sugar, who will be steering the ship with the same no-nonsense style that's become his signature. Flanking him are his reliable lieutenants, Karren Brady and Tim Campbell. Their eyes will be trained on the 18 hopefuls vying for the top spot in this business battlefield.
Innovative Challenges
What's a season of The Apprentice without tasks that keep both contestants and viewers on the edge of their seats? This time, the show has upped its game with a series of diverse and imaginative challenges. Remember the time they had to create virtual popstars, or transform a literal ton of potatoes and tomatoes into money-minting ventures? Those are just tasters of the exciting chaos to come.
Among other tasks, contestants will find themselves designing creative Easter eggs, managing corporate hospitality on international grounds in Turkey, and showing their mettle in a discount buying mission in the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Fresh off the press, the teaser trailer, dropped in January 2025, hinted at a season that dials the pressure up to levels not yet seen, billing it as the 'most demanding yet.' And if history is any guide, audiences are in for a treat as they follow how these ambitious tasks unfold.
Candidates and Filming Insights
Meet the contenders, a lively mix of entrepreneurial spirits each with their own unique flair. Standout names include Amber-Rose Badrudin, who runs a convenience store, Anisa Khan from the pizza business world, and Chisola Chitambala, who empowers businesses as a virtual assistant company boss.
With Team Forest and Team Glacier later morphing into 'Parallel' and 'Ascendancy,' the stage is set for a showdown filled with vigor and innovation. As they navigate these tasks, viewers get a glimpse into the 'real' behind-the-scenes dynamic, complete with the revelation that even post-firing taxi rides are carefully orchestrated events.
This season marks a grand milestone - the show's 20th anniversary. And as the curtain rises on this season, whispers about Series 20, already mapped out for 2026, signal no signs of slowing momentum. It's worth noting that past candidates have spilled the beans, hinting that the head honcho, Lord Sugar, considers more than just on-screen antics when making his final decision. Secretive post-show trials add an extra layer of intrigue to the selection process.