The 20th series of The Apprentice launches later this month with 20 candidates vying for Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment. The series, which begins on January 29, will see the candidates travel to Hong Kong for their first task, where Lord Sugar surprises them in person for the first time.
Lord Sugar explained the decision to start abroad: 'In the first episode we go to Hong Kong, my old hunting ground! The thinking behind it was it's the 20th series and what can we do that's different? So I thought, “Well, why don’t I jump on a plane and surprise them in Hong Kong?”' He added that the candidates were surprised but excited by his unexpected appearance.
The 12-week competition will feature multiple firings per episode, with double or even triple sackings on the cards. Tasks include creating a children's book, selling live on television, and hosting a corporate away day on the Red Sea in El Gouna, Egypt.
Baroness Karren Brady, who returns as an advisor alongside Tim Campbell, commented on the show's longevity: 'It's incredible to think we've reached the 20th series. That's a real milestone for any television show. The show has evolved with the times, with more entrepreneurial, digitally savvy candidates.' She confirmed she will stay on as long as Lord Sugar does.
Ahead of the series, the BBC has called for stricter background checks on contestants after candidate Levi Hodgetts-Hague was found to have made offensive social media posts, including discriminatory remarks towards Muslims and sexist comments. The production company Naked said the process would be reviewed. Hodgetts-Hague has apologised and deleted the posts.
