As The Apprentice returns for another series, BBC One's hit reality show, chaired by business magnate Lord Alan Sugar, kicks off on Wednesday at 21:00 BST. Sixteen more hopefuls will battle it out for a £250,000 investment. But what has become of past winners since their TV triumphs?
Tim, the first winner in 2005, landed a £100,000-a-year job at Amstrad. He left after two years to found Bright Ideas Trust, a charity supporting young entrepreneurs, and now runs his own digital marketing agency, Marketing Runner. He received an MBE in 2012.
Michelle, the first female winner in series two, was hired to launch Xenon Green but left within a year. She now runs her own business consultancy and stood as an independent, pro-Brexit candidate in the 2019 general election, finishing fourth with 5.5% of the vote.
Yasmina won series five in 2009 and worked for Amstrad's medical supply division for a year before leaving after a pregnancy. She later worked for a private equity firm and the government-backed Start Up Loans Company. She has spoken publicly about her half-brother who joined Islamic State in Syria.
Stella, winner of series six in 2010, left her £80,000-a-year job to work for Viglen and YouView but left after 13 months and attempted to sue Lord Sugar for constructive dismissal. She now hosts Crowdbox TV, a crowdfunding television channel.
Tom, winner of series seven, used his £250,000 investment to develop a uniquely curved nail file and now runs beauty accessories company AVENTom with Lord Sugar. He has since invented a collapsible baby bottle and a make-up brush cleaner.
In the most recent series, Lord Sugar crowned two winners for the first time: Sarah and James, each receiving £250,000 and a 50/50 partnership. James expanded his recruitment business, Right Time Recruitment, while Sarah developed Sweets in the City, a confectionery brand now stocked by Harrods and Selfridges.
