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The Traitors might be over (unless you're watching the iconic Irish version, that is) ā but never fear, reality TV lovers, because The Apprentice is back for another season. Lord Alan Sugar, Baroness Brady and Tim Campbell MBE are ready to judge a new group of young entrepreneurial hopefuls ā and we are ready to gobble it all up from our sofas.
Here is everything you need to know about The Apprentice 2026 and the cast of hopeful entrepreneurs ready to impress Lord Sugar ā including who's been fired during each episode. So be warnedā¦ spoilers ahead!
When is The Apprentice back?
It's finally here. The Apprentice returned for series 20 on Thursday 29 January at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer ā and get ready for an extra fun boardroom, because episode one takes place in Hong Kong. The show will air weekly on Thursdays following the premiere.
Who got fired in the latest episode of The Apprentice?
Our twenty new candidates were sent to Hong Kong for the first challenge of the new series, as they were split into two teams (men versus women) tasked with trying to find nine items for the lowest possible price.
Despite both teams not performing particularly well, it was the boys that ultimately won the task, meaning the girls' team were facing dismissal (having only brought back two items, and missed the deadline by two hours). In a dramatic twist, Lord Sugar decided to fire two contestants at the end of the episode ā so project manager Nikki Jetha, a mortgage broker from Essex, and events manager Georgina Newton were sent away in a double firing. Brutal.
- Nikki Jetha (episode one)
- Georgina Newton (episode one)
Hold my bronzer, babe.
Meet The Apprentice 2026 line-up
From: Enfield, North London
Job: Founder of swimwear brand Ayorkoh, Delivery Manager & Agile Coach
Social media: LinkedIn, Instagram
Tetteh-Squire is an entrepreneur from North London. She recently founded her own swimwear brand Ayorkoh, but also works as a Delivery Manager & Agile Coach and is developing Bisa Academy, a āsocial enterprise helping young people discover a world of entrepreneurial skills and real-world opportunities.ā
āMy life is full of side quests, but this is one of the biggest yet,ā she wrote on Instagram alongside her Apprentice announcement.
She added that she launched her first business eight years ago before she āwalked awayā two years later ā ānot because the vision failed but because I needed refining.ā
She went on: āBeing a trailblazer means showing up without dilution no shrinking, no softening, no waiting for permission.ā
From: South London
Job: Owner of a barbershop
Donkoh, who got his start cutting his own mother's hair at home, is hoping to expand his south London barbershop into a global brand, taking on everywhere from New York to Dubai to Tokyo.
From: Twickenham
Job: Founder of beauty brand Kishkin
Social media: LinkedIn
Vijay is a makeup artist who founded her own beauty brand, Kishkin, in 2024. Her dream is to transform her business into what she calls a "global obsession." Viewers can expect to see a completely unfiltered Vijay as she takes on the other contestants:Ā "I have every intention of winning this by being exactly who I am," she said.
From: South East London
Job: Founder of loungewear brand Cas Collection
Social media: Instagram, LinkedIn
Saunders got her start in media, interning at Grazia and The Beat London 1036.fm, before founding her own loungewear brand, Cas Collection, in 2022.
āIām beyond excited (and emotional) for my family, friends, and everyone whoās supported me to finally see this journey,ā she wrote on Instagram. āIām proudly representing a young Black girl from South East London who had a dream, worked for it, and one day hoped sheād be on @apprenticeuk ā¦ and now here we are.ā
"I've already had my business for two years, so my goal is to scale, reach a bigger audience and build a bigger turnover," she said ahead of going on the show.
From: Cork, Ireland
Job: Owner of a photobooth business
Galvin is hoping to expand his business beyond Ireland, setting up booths in London, Manchester and Birmingham. āWith Press Print Paper, every photo becomes its own story and every event guest becomes the cover star,ā he said of his business. "Whether itās a vintage newspaper, a comic book cover, a wanted poster, an art deco print or a circus-themed design, I want to bring storytelling into weddings, birthdays and corporate events, creating fun, unique and memorable prints that people will still smile at years later."
From: Islington, London
Job: AI product consultant
Social media: LinkedIn
Hingorani currently works as a AI product consultant for Capgemini Invent, but he has big dreams for an AI-powered platform that connects food and drink businesses with new customers. His unique approach to business is inspired by his many hours playing chess. As he noted, he thinks he has a lot in common with Lord Sugar and excepts that their āskills would complement each other.ā
From: Hornchurch, Essex
Job: Mortgage broker
Social media: LinkedIn, Instagram
Jetha studied mathematics and finance at Queen Mary University before getting her start in financial advice. She now works at Coreco as a mortgage and protection adviser. She comes to The Apprentice inspired by her role model Kim Kardashian with plans of building a business in the mortgage space. āI want to take the fear out of mortgages with a digital-first mortgage brokerage offering radically transparent, expert-led advice to underserved buyers and home movers in the UK,ā she said.
She is a mother of two who loves visiting London restaurants and travelling.
āAfter a tough selection process, I canāt believe Iāll be walking into Lord Sugarās boardroom and taking on a challenge that pushed me further than I ever thought possible. This is such a HUGE milestone for me, both personally and for @nikkimortgages and I canāt wait for you all to see what went down! š„,ā she wrote on Instagram.
From: East London
Job: Estate agent
Social media: LinkedIn, Instagram
McCartney has worked in the real estate business for a decade and is ready to start his own estate agency. His friend, he said, āoften describe me as a hungry, motivated, and super positive person who consistently goes above and beyond for his clients.ā
āTough process, high-pressure moments, unforgettable experiences and I may have had a little fun š,ā he teased of his appearance on the show.
Age: 22
From: Reading, Berkshire
Job: Recruitment consultant
Social media: LinkedIn
Myhill's current job involves ārecruiting for all level Care positions within the Private Healthcare Sector, finding the perfect roles for my candidates too take there next exciting step in the industry, within prestigious organisations,ā as she writes on LinkedIn.
Her dream is to build a new recruitment business.
āThis experience has been intense, challenging, emotional, and without doubt one of the most rewarding things Iāve ever done,ā she wrote of The Apprentice on LinkedIn. āIāve watched this programme with my parents for years, always imagining what it might be like, to be me. A year ago, I was watching from the sofa. This year, I am the one pitching my future in front of Lord Sugar. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity.ā
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
Job: Pharmacist and beauty brand owner
Social media: Instagram
You may recognise Hamedi from her Geordie Shore appearances back in 2021. Now, she is hoping to expand her beauty business Browtasia.
āIāve come a long way since my Geordie Shore days (which most of you may know me from) š Stepping into the business space and being on The Apprentice has always been on my vision board and I feel like this truly aligns with who I am today, and who I am becoming. This is only the beginning,ā she wrote on Instagram.
She added, āI bring a rare blend of scientific expertise, creativity, and entrepreneurial drive to the boardroom. Iām offering Lord Sugar more than a business, Iām offering a brand with heart, a mission with momentum, and a clear path to scalable success.ā
From: Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Job: Former RAF gunner and HGV driver
Hague has a rather interesting business idea: personalised pet cremation urns. "Each urn is crafted with care to help families honour their pets in a truly meaningful way," he said. āI plan to scale production, expand into the pet cremation service sector, and establish Living Forever Memories as a globally recognised brand within the cremation industry.ā
From: Wirral
Job: Owner of an online women's clothing brand
Social media: LinkedIn
Ruiter founded her clothing brand Ruiter in 2018 and is also the owner of marketing agency MAR PR. She is hoping to expand her clothing business.
āFrom growing up watching The Apprentice and now having been involved with the shows biggest season to date, celebrating their 20th anniversary is a true pinch me moment," she wrote on LinkedIn, adding, āI have learnt so much about business, myself and life from being involved in process of The Apprentice and have made memories and friends for life. I am so grateful to have been involved in such an iconic series š«¶š¼.ā
From: Watford, Hertfordshire
Job: Public relations specialist
Social media: LinkedIn
Lawrence's plan is to "reinvent" how public relations industry works with āsmarter, faster and more transparent PR through intelligent automation, without losing the human touch that drives meaningful media outcomes.ā
āI originally applied for the show because I think thereās a huge gap for PRs to become more visible, and I have a chance to use my voice for the new generation of media,ā he wrote on LinkedIn. āIām eternally grateful for the platform The Apprentice has already given me to fulfil that dream.ā
He went on: āI remember in my first interview they asked me about my gameplan for the show, and I basically said I just wanted to be competent and decent bloke because itās got me this farā¦ but I donāt even remember half of what I said at this point, so I genuinely canāt wait to see some of the nonsense I got up to š.ā
From: Battersea, London
Job: Financial sales manager
Social media: LinkedIn
Clough owns Makemyday, a free food and drink subscription box. Free, you ask? Yes. āThe customer will receive one box every month, for free. After signing up and answering a few questions, the customer will receive a free box each month with products chosen for them,ā he said. "It's the opportunity for people to try new things and find their favourite food and drink products."
He is also founder of Harry Can't Sit Still.
āI will explain more over time, but being part of the process was the biggest privilege I have had in my life, and I feel very lucky,ā he wrote of The Apprentice on LinkedIn.
From: East London
Job: Actor and events manager
Social media: Instagram
Newton's ambition to launch a pantomine theatre company that takes classic stories on the road. āThe idea is to convert a large truck into a fully functioning theatre that travels around the UK bringing magic to everyone, no matter where they are,ā she said. "Think hospital car parks, care homes, private events and festivals."
From: Medway, Kent
Job: Pharmaceutical sales specialist
Although Gill works in the pharmaceutical industry now, his plan is start his own business creating custom media walls with mounted televisions and matching panelling.
From: East London
Job: Student wellbeing adviser
Social media: LinkedIn
Akhtar may work as a student adviser at Imperial College London, but her real ambition is to expand her part-time baking business Rothna's Bakery, into a destination for custom occasion cakes, baking workshops and personalised cake making stations. She warns that viewers should mistake her "kindness for weakness" as she vies for the prize in The Apprentice.
From: Harrow, London
Job: Global account manager
Social media: Instagram, LinkedIn
Bathia is working on building his mobile cocktail bar business into a national cocktail brand that includes a reach-to-drink canned cocktail and mocktail line.
āGrew up watching this show shouting at the TV like āI could do betterā turns out Iām about to find out š ,ā he wrote on Instagram, adding, āAll I can say grab your drinks, (if youāre short of ideas check my page š) SIP and enjoy as itās going to be one heck of a ride š.ā
From: Richmond, London
Job: Owner of a student recruitment company
Miller's business, Young Professionals, is designed to help students move into the workplace and find apprenticeship placements, internships and work experience opportunities.
āOur founder, Dan Miller established Young Professionals with a deep commitment to fostering social mobility and inclusivity,ā reads the company's website. "Recognising the challenges faced by many students in accessing career opportunities when he, himself was just in Year 12, Dan set out to create a platform that levels the playing field.
Age: 46
From: Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Job: Business owner of a Lettings Agency
Cooper is a mum of five and the owner of two businesses. Her hope to one day develop a software system for short-term accommodation. She also has a degree in midwifery.
"Lord Sugar is interested in property businesses like me and I feel he will be interested in a business where there is a gap in the market," she said.
āMy proven track record can evidence that I am willing to put my whole into something that will work, and he will not regret taking me on as I am honest, a realist and will say it how it is.ā
