The Apprentice Returns for Landmark 20th Series with Record Number of Candidates

A Milestone Moment for British Television

The twentieth series of British reality television series The Apprentice is scheduled to premiere on 29 January 2026. As one of the UK’s most enduring reality programmes, The Apprentice continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of business acumen, high-stakes competition, and boardroom drama. This landmark anniversary edition promises to be bigger and more ambitious than ever before.

Twenty Candidates Compete for Lord Sugar’s Investment

In celebration of reaching its 20th series, there will be 20 candidates looking to impress Lord Sugar and secure his £250,000 investment in their business plan. The series featured twenty candidates, the highest number since the the tenth series in 2014. Lord Sugar will be supported by his trusted advisers, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, as they whittle down the candidates across 12 demanding episodes.

This year’s tasks include creating a children’s book, selling products live on television, and orchestrating a corporate away day on the Red Sea in El Gouna, Egypt, testing their entrepreneurial mettle in diverse environments. And for the first time ever, Lord Sugar’s boardroom will move to Hong Kong in the first episode, after the 20 candidates complete a task in one of the world’s most vibrant trading hubs.

New Faces and Fresh Format Changes

The 20th series brings significant changes to The Apprentice family. Tom Allen stepped down from the programme’s spin off show The Apprentice: You’re Hired! after seven years, with Angela Scanlon taking over as host and the programme being rebranded as The Apprentice: Unfinished Business. Additionally, the BBC will air the first ever full-length series of The Celebrity Apprentice in 2026.

Why The Apprentice Remains Relevant

For two decades, The Apprentice has provided viewers with compelling entertainment whilst showcasing real entrepreneurial talent. The programme offers aspiring business owners a unique platform to demonstrate their skills and secure life-changing investment. As the series enters its third decade, it continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs whilst maintaining the format that made it a television phenomenon.