After a gap of more than two years, we finally know when The Apprentice will be returning to BBC One – with Lord Alan Sugar set to return to the boardroom in the New Year.
A fresh batch of candidates will be aiming to prove they have what it takes to be the best in the business from early January, with the new series set to air weekly episodes on Thursdays.
For one series only, Sugar’s trusty aide Claude Littner will not be taking part, as the businessman recuperates from an operation earlier this year, with the first-ever Apprentice champion Tim Campbell taking his place alongside Baroness Karren Brady in scrutinising the latest line-up
On joining the show, Campbell said: “I’m excited to be looking after Claude’s boardroom chair while he recuperates and look forward to seeing what the candidates come up with on this year’s tasks. I was saddened by the circumstances which led to getting the call from Lord Sugar, but having been on the show myself, I know the hard work that goes into it – so I didn’t take the decision lightly. I wish Claude the very best as he recovers.”
!["Tim]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/10/tim-campbell-5713d0a.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Tim")
Meanwhile, the candidates will once again be competing for a £250,000 investment for their business, in what remains the toughest interview process in town.
So, when will The Apprentice be back? Here’s everything we know about The Apprentice’s return, including possible plans to air two series in 2021.
When is The Apprentice back on TV?
The BBC has now confirmed that the new series of The Apprentice will begin on Thursday 6th January 2022 on BBC One and iPlayer.
That means that more than two years will have passed since the previous series concluded on 18th December 2019, with the series having been put on hold as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lord Sugar had earlier told the Cambridge Union: “I think you’ll see it in the early part of next year – in fact that’s the plan. If things go well, and there’s no outbreaks or third waves, we’re planning to start recording later this year and it should be just after Christmas that they’ll start it again.”
Alan Sugar previously hinted there’d be two series of The Apprentice in 2021, which naturally hasn’t happened. Speaking to the MailOnline, one of the options Sugar said the broadcaster was considering was having “two series air in one year”, so it could happen in 2022.
Who are The Apprentice 2022 contestants?
The Apprentice candidates have yet to be announced, so we’ll keep you updated.
Who won The Apprentice in 2019?
!["Carina]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2019/12/19646017-low_res-the-apprentice-2019-series-15-99852c1.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C349" "\"Carina")
Artisan baker Carina Lepore was crowned the winner of The Apprentice 2019.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com afterwards, Carina said: “I’m so excited, I can’t wait to start building the empire. There’s going to be new shops in 2020. Hopefully get Dough’s Bakehouse in other locations.”
What is the prize for winning The Apprentice?
As in previous years, the show’s winning contestant will bag a £250,000 business investment from Lord Sugar.
Not only will the winner receive a huge cash injection for their business, Lord Sugar will also be on hand to guide them along the way and make their business into a real life success!
Who are Lord Sugar’s advisors?
!["The]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/06/Apprentice-4d0ffd4.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"The")
Claude Littner will be taking a one-series break from the new series as he recovers from an operation. Tim Campbell (MBE) will be covering for Littner as one of Lord Sugar’s boardroom aides alongside Karren Brady. Campbell won the first series of The Apprentice in 2005, founded charity the Bright Ideas Trust which helps young people to set up their own businesses, received an MBE in 2012, and now runs his own digital marketing agency.
Littner has appeared on every series of The Apprentice and first featured solely in the interview stages before becoming an aide to Sugar in 2015. He replaced Nick Hewer.
Littner said in a statement: “I’m hugely grateful to all the surgeons and nursing staff at St Mary’s Hospital for their incredible care and getting me on the road to recovery. Whilst I’m disappointed that I won’t be out and about covering the tasks or in the boardroom for this upcoming series, I’ll most definitely be glued to the action from my sofa.”
Lord Sugar added: “Claude has been part of the series since the beginning and is leaving an important boardroom chair to temporarily fill. I’ve been speaking to him regularly about his recovery, and of course hope we see him back in the boardroom very soon. In the meantime, my former winner Tim Campbell will step into Claude’s seat and be my eyes and ears as the candidates face a tough set of business challenges in the upcoming series.”
Meanwhile, Brady joined the show in 2009, after appearing as a celebrity contestant on Comic Relief Does The Apprentice, which she won in 2007. She is vice-chairman of West Ham United and former managing director of Birmingham City. In 2014 she was made a life peer by the Prime Minister and received a CBE from the Queen for her services to business, entrepreneurship and women in business.
Can I apply to be on The Apprentice?
Unfortunately, applications are now closed for the show, however, this may well change if they decide to do two series in 2022.
You can keep an eye on the application page.
The Apprentice series 16 will begin on 6th January 2022. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide.