Former Apprentice Candidate Lifts Lid on Boardroom Dynamics
Phil Turner, the runner-up in the 2024 series of The Apprentice, has offered a candid glimpse into the reality of the hit BBC show. Speaking ahead of the 2026 series launch, Turner revealed that while Lord Alan Sugar maintains his gruff television persona, it was actually Baroness Karren Brady who created the most intimidating atmosphere during filming.
The True Power in the Boardroom
Turner, who competed with his online pie delivery business before losing to gym owner Rachel Woolford, described Lord Sugar as "exactly like he is on TV" - blunt, occasionally shocking, but ultimately someone he developed a respectful relationship with during the competition. However, it was Brady's presence that truly commanded attention.
"Karen is the number one for being intimidating," Turner explained. "She's obviously dominating in a heavily male industry. She's good at being really intimidating. I wouldn't even say Lord Sugar has it to that level."
The Brady Effect
Turner elaborated on the palpable shift in atmosphere whenever Brady entered the room, describing an almost tangible energy that immediately put candidates on alert. "She's probably the only person I've ever met who, when she walked in the room, you just know about it - even if you haven't seen her," he recalled.
The former candidate expressed sympathy for fellow contestants who failed to impress Brady, noting that "once she makes her opinion of you, you're done." He added: "If she doesn't like you, there is no coming back from it. I felt sorry for some of the other candidates because once you're in her bad books there is no coming back from it."
Contrasting Personalities
While Brady maintained a formidable presence, Turner described Tim Campbell as "very friendly" and "a nice guy" who helped candidates feel at ease during challenges. Campbell's more relatable background and approachable manner created a stark contrast to Brady's intimidating style.
Turner did acknowledge that Brady eventually warmed to him personally, saying "she was really nice to me and she said some really nice stuff" later in the competition. However, he maintained that "in the first eight weeks she was scary as hell."
Behind the Scenes Challenges
The West Sussex businessman, who also runs his family's award-winning Turner's Pies, opened up about the less visible difficulties of participating in the show. The complete isolation from normal life proved particularly challenging.
"Just the complete and utter disconnect from the world," Turner explained. "I'd never left my business for more than a week. We live in a world where we're so connected to everything, so to lose your personal connections, your friendships, your home comforts - and then to be put in this pressure cooker of having cameras in your face."
Advice for Future Candidates
Reflecting on his experience, Turner offered valuable advice for this year's Apprentice hopefuls. His primary recommendation: "You have to be your authentic self."
He warned against trying to create a false persona, noting that "if you're trying too hard to say how amazing you are, Lord Sugar is going to see straight through it." Turner also emphasized the importance of concise communication with the business mogul, explaining that "the art of speaking to him is putting a minute's worth of information into ten seconds."
Perhaps most importantly, Turner encouraged future candidates to "enjoy it and relish the experience," admitting his only regret was taking the process too seriously initially. Despite the pressures and intimidating moments, he concluded that "the rest of it was just really fun - just meeting new people and doing the tasks."
While Turner initially maintained contact with Lord Sugar via WhatsApp after the show, he confirmed that communication has since faded. The experience, however, has left him with unique insights into the dynamics of one of Britain's most watched business reality shows.
