Everything you need to know about The Apprentice
January saw the return of The Apprentice, with the BBC One reality show helping to heal The Traitors shaped-hole in our hearts.
First airing more than 20 years ago, this year's series welcomes a whole host of new contestants for Lord Sugar, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell to judge.
The show attracts millions of viewers, many of whom presumably stare at the screen, scoffing and opining about how much better they'd be than the year's contestants. So, here at BBC Bitesize, we thought we'd let you put that to the test. Check out our 'Hired or Fired' quiz to see how you'd get on in the boardroom, and read on for more information about this year's series and what you can learn from the show.
Image source, PAWhat is The Apprentice?
The Apprentice is a BBC One reality show, where an array of aspiring business tycoons put their acumen to the test in an effort to win the investment and mentorship of British billionaire Lord Alan Sugar.
Across the series, contestants are put through a number of business-based challenges, which help whittle the contestant total down to just five hopefuls. The final five are then interviewed by Lord Sugar's closest associates, who scrutinise each and every detail of their business plans in an effort to find the year's Apprentice winner.
First airing in 2005, The Apprentice is now into its 20th series, with a new set of candidates ready to battle it out for an investment of £250,000 in their business plan.
When is The Apprentice on?
Series 20 of The Apprentice kicked off on 29 January 2026, seeing Lord Sugar's boardroom move to Hong Kong for the very first time.
The series will span 12 episodes and is available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. You can catch up with future episodes airing at 9pm on Thursday evenings.
Like The Traitors, The Apprentice is sure to cause a stir, but how would you fare on the show? Take our quiz below to find out if you'd make it all the way, or if you'd receive the dreaded "you're fired!"
Take the quiz: Hired or fired? How would you fare on The Apprentice?
Who is on The Apprentice?
To celebrate its landmark 20th series, The Apprentice has expanded its pool of contestants this year, with 20 up-and-coming business people battling it out, as opposed to the previous series' 18.
In fact, this will be the first series to crack the 20 contestant mark since the show's 10th series, way back in 2014. Unlike the show's Comic Relief celebrity variant, the main series doesn't feature famous contestants, but you can get to know this year's crop here.
The show has produced some famous winners, however. Tim Campbell, who won the show's first series, now serves as one of Lord Sugar's aides, interviewing contestants in the final round.
What can I learn from The Apprentice?
The Apprentice is famous for putting contestants' business abilities to the test through a series of tasks and challenges. As with any real world scenario, contestants are required to solve problems, think creatively, and communicate clearly with colleagues, buyers and suppliers.
BBC Bitesize has a whole suite of resources you can use to help build up these skills, including our GCSE Business resources, as well as our National 5 and Higher Business management guides.
If you're looking to improve your communication skills, you can check out our articles on the impact of communication, communicating effectively and essential communication skills.
And, if you want to find our more about life as an actual apprentice, check out BBC Bitesize Careers, and their fantastic suite of apprenticeship content.
