Lord Sugar Expresses Surprise at The Apprentice's Longevity
Lord Alan Sugar has candidly revealed that he never anticipated The Apprentice would continue for as long as it has, as he prepares to crown the winner of the show's landmark twentieth series. In a reflective interview ahead of the finale, the business magnate shared his astonishment at the programme's enduring success, which began back in 2005.
A Journey from 2005 to Today
Speaking with presenter Angela Scanlon, Lord Sugar recalled the early days of the BBC competition. "Honestly speaking, no," he responded when asked if he thought the show would reach this two-decade milestone. "Was it 2005 or something like that? 2004, when we recorded the first one, and I thought, 'it's been great, exciting, interesting', but never, ever thought it would run on for this long." This year's finale features an all-female final, with contestants Karishma Vijay and Pascha Myhill battling for the top prize.
Evolution of the Show's Format
The Apprentice has undergone significant changes since its inception. Initially, winners were offered a six-figure job to work for Lord Sugar, but this shifted after about six series to a 50/50 business partnership model. "The original format was that people would come to work for me, and I would give them a six-figure job, and back in 2005, a six-figure job was quite a lot of money, so you can imagine the resentment and possible disruption it caused within my company," he explained. "So I changed it after about series six to this 50/50 business deal, which is great, that's what's really kept me at it."
This new approach has allowed Lord Sugar to focus on entrepreneurial talent. "The calibre of the winners are different because they're entrepreneurs, they're my partners, and as I say to them, 'You're the expert, you're the one that knows what you're supposed to be doing in this business, I'm just there to tell you what not to do'." He emphasised that he seeks individuals with "that entrepreneurial spirit, some spark of brilliance."
Looking Ahead to the Future
Despite his initial doubts, Lord Sugar has committed to continuing The Apprentice for at least a few more years. In a previous conversation with Amol Rajan, he confirmed he had signed on for three additional series, taking the show into his eighties. "Listen, when I took the job on of The Apprentice, I was already a multi-millionaire. I didn't do it for the money," he stated, highlighting his pride in the show's legacy.
In a light-hearted remark earlier this year, Lord Sugar joked about receiving an "electronic Zimmer frame" from the BBC as part of his new contract. "Part of the contract is the BBC has got to provide me with an electronic Zimmer frame! I mean, three years takes me to about 82 I suppose, the time I'm finished, but I'll carry on as long as the BBC want me to and I will know personally when it's time for me to kind of hang up my finger, if you know what I mean," he told The Mirror. "As the footballers say, they hang up their boots, hang up my finger or something. I'm happy about it. I'm a very fit person."
Personal Reflections and Fitness
Reflecting on his own journey, Lord Sugar quipped about his appearance from the first series, calling himself "a handsome fella." At 79, he attributes his vitality to a combination of exercise and managing his businesses. "I do a lot of exercise, I suppose, and running the businesses," he shared, underscoring his active lifestyle.
The finale of The Apprentice airs tonight at 21:00 on BBC One and iPlayer, followed by The Apprentice: Unfinished Business on BBC Two and iPlayer. As Lord Sugar crowns the series 20 winner, his reflections offer a poignant look at a television phenomenon that has defied expectations and continues to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs across the UK.
