The BBC has unveiled a high-stakes first look at the landmark 20th series of The Apprentice, releasing a dramatic trailer that sets the tone for the gruelling weeks ahead. The preview confirms the return of Lord Alan Sugar alongside his trusted advisors, Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, as they meet a fresh batch of candidates competing for a £250,000 investment and a life-changing business partnership.
A Stark Warning from the Boss
Set to the show's iconic, foreboding theme music – Sergei Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights – the teaser opens with nervous hopefuls entering the infamous boardroom. Lord Sugar immediately issues a blunt warning, leaving no room for complacency. "The next 12 weeks will be the toughest of your life," he states, before adding a pointed reminder about the unpredictable nature of the process: "Just because we've been doing this for a while doesn't mean you know what's coming next. You don't."
Under the watchful eyes of Karren and Tim, the trailer then offers rapid-fire glimpses of the challenges in store. Candidates are seen speeding on dune buggies through a desert and racing up the steps towards the Big Buddha in Hong Kong, confirming the series' global scope. One brief shot hints at a task involving virtual reality gaming, while a cameo from TV personality Big Zuu sees him exclaim, "I'm awake now!"
Following a Celebrity Special
This milestone 20th series launches hot on the heels of a recent two-part Celebrity Apprentice special for Children in Need. In that festive edition, stars including Rob Rinder, AJ Odudu, and Angela Scanlon were flown to Lapland to create and market their own Christmas cookies.
The celebrities were split into two teams – Jolly McTrouble and Gary the Penguin – and tasked with designing, advertising, and pitching their biscuits to major retailers. Despite Jolly McTrouble securing orders for 355,500 units, the victory went to Gary the Penguin after they landed orders from all seven retailers plus an extra investor, totalling 452,000 units. Project leader Rob Rinder was ultimately "fired" after Lord Sugar and Karren Brady critiqued the team's lack of a clear plan.
What to Expect in Series 20
The new series promises a return to the classic, cut-throat format with ambitious business candidates. The BBC has confirmed that the first episode will see the candidates begin their journey in Hong Kong, immediately facing a task and a boardroom showdown in the iconic city. As the trailer's voiceover teases, "The original hustler is back. And hustlers gonna hustle," before culminating in the moment every contestant fears: Lord Sugar pointing his finger and delivering the classic line, "You're fired."
The 20th series of The Apprentice is scheduled to air on BBC One and iPlayer later this month.
