The Apprentice

For the first time, BBC will air the first ever full-length series of the show – six episodes filmed across six weeks – as the celebrities will face a range of weekly business challenges set by the business mogul

The Celebrity Apprentice line-up has been confirmed, with TV presenter Gethin Jones, singer Alexandra Burke and Love Island star Toni Laites all set to face Lord Sugar.

For the first time ever, BBC will air the first ever full-length series of the show – six episodes filmed across six weeks – as the celebrities face a range of weekly business challenges set by the business mogul.

Competing for the chance to win a £100,000 donation to a charity of their choice, they will each be hoping to prove their business acumen and ultimately be crowned The Celebrity Apprentice winner.

There will be another change to this star-studded series – the boardroom will relocate to a London City skyscraper, providing a distinctive new setting for Lord Sugar’s final deliberations.

The full line up includes Alexandra Burke, actor Danny Miller, presenter Gethin Jones, dancer and presenter Jordan Banjo, journalist Kay Burley, actress and online personality Maddie Grace Jepson, presenter, podcaster and content creator Max Balegde, Gladiator Sheli McCoy, UK garage legend DJ Spoony, TV and BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson, comedian and writer Laura Smyth and television personality Toni Laites.

Lord Sugar said: “We’ve not done anything like this before, and it’ll be entertaining to see these 12 celebrities being put through six weeks of some brilliant business challenges. But just because they’re celebrities, it doesn’t mean they’re going to get an easy ride, especially when there’s £100,000 at stake for their chosen charity.”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC says: “This brand-new full-length series of The Celebrity Apprentice takes everything audiences love about the format and turns the pressure right up. This year’s celebrities arrive with strong reputations – but in the boardroom, status counts for nothing.

“They’ll be tested on leadership, teamwork and commercial instinct, and only those who can truly deliver will make it through. It’s bold, unpredictable and hugely entertaining – and viewers are in for a brilliant ride.”

Broadcast details for The Celebrity Apprentice will be confirmed in due course. The announcement comes after Karishma Vijay was crowned the winner of the BBC business show last week after an all-female final, which saw her battle it out for Lord Sugar’s coveted investment against Pascha Myhill.

Karishma, from Surrey, recounted the moment Lord Sugar told her she had won and would be receiving his £250,000 investment, and said: “I was so blown away, so shocked – but I kept it very cool. Then, I got in my car and I was screaming. It was just insane – I can’t believe I’ve gone and done it after not having watched the show, I feel like that’s so cheeky.”

Explaining his decision on the hit BBC show, Lord Sugar said: “As always, it was close competition in the final after two outstanding pitches by two brilliant young businesswomen. But Karishma really impressed me throughout the process and has proven why she deserves my investment. She’s a proper grafter and she’s got that entrepreneurial spirit that I always look for. The cosmetics industry is one I know a lot about, and I know our partnership will pave the way for a bright future.”

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Reacher star Alan Ritchson will be headlining a new reality series for Netflix from the producer of Survivor and The Apprentice

Alan Ritchson, the star of Reacher, is set to host a new, intense reality survival series for Netflix.

The acclaimed actor, known for playing the iconic action hero on Prime Video and for the Netflix film War Machine, will challenge a group of high-profile contestants — from influencers to “headline-makers” — in a series of outdoor challenges designed to test their “resilience and grit.”

The currently untitled series will strip away modern luxuries, forcing players to rely on their instincts and determination. “Do they have what it truly takes to endure? Will they risk losing their carefully curated personas in the process? And who will break first under the pressure?” a synopsis from Netflix Tudum teases.

Ritchson, an experienced outdoorsman himself, will guide the contestants, “pushing them beyond their limits and into the unknown.”

The show is executive produced by Jay Bienstock, known for launching major reality hits like Survivor and The Apprentice, guaranteeing addictive viewing.

He is also executive producing, along with Julie Pizzi, Rupert Dobson, Gayani Wanigaratne, and co-executive producer John Faratzis.

The upcoming series will be joining Netflix’s already huge catalogue of popular reality shows, which is only set to grow over the coming years.

Fans have devoured the likes of Squid Game: The Challenge, Million Dollar Secret, and Is It Cake? so far.

Netflix is also in production on The Golden Ticket, inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Win the Mall, a thrilling retail rivalry competition hosted by Haley Baylee, both set to be released this year.

A synopsis for the former reads: “To achieve sweet success in this high-stakes social experiment, players will have to adapt and strategize, as a golden ticket only gets you so far. Wonka’s guests must withstand games, tests, and temptations designed to prove their instincts, resilience, and ability to thrive in the chaos of a retro-futuristic dreamscape.”

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And Win the Mall will follow “10 teams of expert shoppers competing to gain control of storefronts, increase their spending power, and outmanoeuvre rivals in the ultimate retail experience.”

Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on Netflix’s must-watch TV tournaments.

Lord Sugar has chosen his 2026 finalists after the candidates faced several tense interviews

BBC’s The Apprentice has confirmed its 2026 finalists after eleven weeks of tough challenges.

Thursday’s (April 9) episode saw the final five candidates – Dan Miller, Karishma Vijay, Lawrence Rosenberg, Pascha Myhill, and Priyesh Bathia – prepare for the dreaded interview stage of the process, with Pascha and Karishma later advancing to the final.

Earlier in the episode, the business hopefuls were set to face a gruelling round of interviews with some of Lord Sugar’s toughest-talking business associates, Claude Littner, Claudine Collins, Linda Plant, and Mike Soutar.

Their business plans were picked apart, products were blind tested, and even a unique cocktail was prepared on the spot. Some contestants held their own, while others crumbled under the pressure.

Back in the boardroom, Lord Sugar had a tough decision to make, as only two candidates could make it through to next week’s grand final.

After a series of “brutal” interviews and debates in the boardroom, it was the end of the competition for Dan, Lawrence and Priyesh, while Pascha and Karishma sailed through to the grand finale.

Many viewers were delighted by the decision, with one person writing on X (formerly Twitter): “My final 2 are in the final!”

Another added: “Girl power final,” while a third said: “Best finalists they’ve had in a long time!” A fourth fan echoed the sentiment, saying: “Oh I am so pleased, an all female final. Well done ladies.”

However, some viewers were surprised that Lord Sugar didn’t choose to send Dan through, as he already runs a successful student recruitment company.

“I don’t think Dan should have been sent home,” one person wrote, with another adding: “Dan was robbed of the final 2.”

A third said: “I did not see that coming,” with another similarly sharing: “Gutted for Dan but if he can get control of finances he could be very successful in future.”

Recruitment consultant Pascha is proposing a new recruitment company within private healthcare. She aims to focus on supplying experienced, compliant, and compassionate professionals to private nursing homes, care homes, supported living services, and domiciliary care providers and nurseries within the UK.

Meanwhile, beauty brand owner Karishma is seeking investment to elevate her current business. Kishkin is a skincare-infused beauty brand that creates powerful and potent products that simplify a lengthy trend-driven skincare routine.

Next week, Pascha and Karishma will be joined by some of this series’ candidates as they launch their businesses to a room full of industry experts, and some legends from the last 20 years. This all comes before Lord Sugar decides who will become his next business partner.

The Apprentice is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

EXCLUSIVE: Kieran McCartney has revealed what fans don’t see on The Apprentice including what Lord Alan Sugar, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell are really like

Kieran McCartney has revealed what the BBC bosses don’t show on The Apprentice.

The estate agent from East London is one of the eight remaining candidates in the running to become Lord Alan Sugar’s next business partner.

Last week, he put his neck on the line by cutting a dramatic “win or walk” deal with the business tycoon to save himself from being fired.

He’s the first contestant in the BBC show’s 21-year history to make a pact with Lord Sugar that he would lead the next task to victory – or walk away.

As fans wait to see the outcome of the bold move, Kieran’s shared some behind-the-scenes secrets including what Lord Sugar and his aides Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell are really like.

“Those boardroom showdowns are as real as it gets,” he explained, before adding: “Everything is done in one take and they film everything once and once only. It’s all real and raw.

“What you see is what you get. Karren’s [Brady’s] very strong but a big softy and she grows on you.

“[Lord Alan] Sugar had lots of banter and I love that so I was giving it back to him. I don’t think anyone’s ever given back to the way I did and Tim’s just a lovely guy.”

Baroness Brady joined The Apprentice as one of Lord Sugar’s aides in 2010 replacing Margaret Mountford and Tim won the first series of The Apprentice in 2005 taking over Claude Littner in 2022.

Kieran went on to share exactly how much time he spent with Lord Sugar’s trusted advisors during the process.

He added: “When you split into your two teams, you then go into further two teams so there’s four groups overall.

“Karren and Tim spend the morning with one group and the afternoon with the other and then you see them in the boardroom.

“They kind of just sit there but I’m not sure they actually write anything down like you see on camera.”

To remember his ultimatum, Kieran has had a tattoo on his leg of Lord Sugar, Baroness Brady and Tim’s faces with the words “The Apprentice 2026” and catchphrase “win or walk”.

Addressing his thinking process behind his bold offer, he joked: “Lord Sugar will either love my tattoo or send me a legal letter.”

He continued: “I’d love to sit here and say it was all part of a bigger plan but it was a total impulse.

“I thought I was a goner and was going home, it was a last resort and I just came out with it.

“I had to make that deal with Lord Sugar to survive and I put my neck on the line. It was a one-off, never been done and that’s a bit of me.”

Kieran McCartney was speaking to BestBettingSites.co.uk – the leading comparison site for casino sites and The Apprentice airs Thursdays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm

The Apprentice star Kieran McCartney has candidly opened up on his drug addiction, admitting he would spend £400-£500 a week on cocaine

A favourite on The Apprentice has candidly revealed he battled a cocaine addiction and was left with suicidal thoughts. Kieran McCartney opened up on his £500-a-week drug addiction – and the one call that allowed him to change his life.

The TV contestant, who worked as an estate agent, revealed he used his work phone to message dealers in East London during company time – both before and after his time on the BBC show. And he has revealed he “probably wouldn’t be here”if it wasn’t for his mother.

He revealed how his friendship group dwindled as pals grew embarrassed by how he was behaving on drugs or alcohol. But he confessed Lord Alan Sugar’s “you’re fired” catchphrase proved to him that he was able to give it up.

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He admitted he would splurge £400-£500 on cocaine on a weekly basis, spending hours in the pub five times a week. Speaking to The Sun, Kieran said: “It always came if I had a few drinks. I couldn’t drink without doing it. I’d maybe have four pints. Then I might have a little bit. And then have another four pints.”

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He confessed that he would sometimes find himself still up in the early hours despite having work the next day. He admitted he would feel “awful” but would always go to work.

Kieran denies ever using the drug while filming the reality TV show. And he blasted those who said he looked “wired” during the series.

“The Apprentice was an amazing experience — mentally very stressful,” he said. “But I’m in a good place now. It didn’t even cross my mind once. I would have loved a beer, absolutely. It was summertime. It was hot.

“But drugs? No. Definitely not. I had about 200 cigarettes on me when I went into the house. That was it.” And he told those online to stop and “don’t judge a book by its cover”.

Fans of the show are watching as he continues his bid to get the deal with Lord Sugar. Before appearing on the show, the estate agent said he wanted to rehabilitate his profession’s reputation.

To do so, he said he needed Lord Sugar’s investment to help him to branch out on his own. He said at the time: “I know the property game inside out.

“The wins, the pressure, and the graft it takes to succeed. But now it’s time to stop building someone else’s business and start building my own.”

*Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.

*If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch

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Tensions rose in The Apprentice as a candidate shared a decision he would “regret for the rest of my life”.

BBC The Apprentice said goodbye to yet another candidate this week but not before Lord Sugar addressed someone’s “slimey” actions.

In week seven of the hit BBC business show, the remaining candidates took on virtual reality fitness where they were tasked with building demos and brands before chasing investment.

Unfortunately, when it came to the boardroom, it was game over for Team Eclipse, headed up by project manager Lawrence Rosenberg who scored an investment four times lower than Team Alpha.

The drama really began in the boardroom when it came to Lawrence choosing who he would be bringing back with him.

He first decided to pick Rajan Gill for his “lack of contributions” before sharing the controversial reason for his second choice of Levi Hague.

Lawrence said: “With respect Lord Sugar, I think you have made it quite clear about your mind on Levi so I will need to bring back Levi as well.”

Prior to his decision, Lord Sugar had questioned Levi what he had achieved in the past seven weeks of the process but despite his own reservations, The Apprentice legend wasn’t happy with this “naughty”, tactic.

“This is not how this process is supposed to work, you’re supposed to bring people back in who you think did not contribute to this task.”

Lord Sugar described it as a “nasty move” with Lawrence apologetically saying that “I’ll regret it for the rest of my life”.

The Apprentice legend said he was going to be “fair” to Levi though and keep him for another week, putting him forward as next week’s project manager with the candidate laughing “happy days”.

Despite this business between Lawrence and Levi, it was actually Rajan’s turn to be fired for his lack of contributions to the task.

This didn’t stop Lord Sugar from giving Lawrence one last telling off though as he warned: “You were this close to getting out of here.”

The drama wasn’t quite over yet though as when the saved pair went back to the house, Lawrence admitted to the rest of the group that he was “beyond embarassed”, having made a “weak decision”.

Levi wasn’t going to let him off the hook just yet though as he simply stated to the remaining candidates: “Don’t ever use me as a scapegoat in there, don’t ever do that to me.”

The Apprentice continues every Thursday at 9pm on BBC One.

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