Lord Alan Sugar has told viewers of The Apprentice how long they can expect to see him on the show… He doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon.
This week, the BBC show comes back for the first time since 2023. UK viewers will meet a whole new group of candidates as they try to get a £250,000 investment from the business magnate.
The first challenge of the new season will be a sunny one in Antigua, where the 18 eager entrepreneurs will go for their first task. Assistants Karren Brady and Claude Littner will be keeping a close eye on how they act and work with their teams.
During a press conference that Metro.co.uk went to, Lord Sugar was asked how long he thinks he’ll be the face of The Apprentice. Next year will be the 20th anniversary of the show, even though it won’t air from 2022 to 2019.
The businessman first pointed out that since the 2023 season is the 17th series, the 20th series won’t come out until 2024 or 2025.
‘I have agreed to do two more series, which will bring me up to 19 and depending on how well that is received, and the BBC do their statistical numbers and all that, I’d be delighted to do a 20th,’ he shared.
The 75-year-old added: ‘Bear in mind I’ve also done three Junior Apprentices. So in a way, you could argue that I’ve already done 20.’
Even though The Apprentice hasn’t reached its 20th season yet, the 2023 season will have a special theme for the third episode to honour the BBC’s 100th birthday.
During the Q&A, Lord Sugar was also asked how he feels about the fact that The Apprentice is on BBC One right after Dragons’ Den, which could be seen as a rival show.
Even so, he didn’t seem to be bothered by the competition. Instead, he thought it was a “smart idea” that the two business-themed shows were right after each other.
‘It’s the BBC’s rather smart idea to have a business Thursday, I suppose,’ he remarked.
‘For people who are interested in business, they can kick off with Dragon’s Den and then follow up with us. So I think it’s a rather smart idea, actually.’
Comedian Tom Allen, who was hosting the press conference, quipped that The Apprentice could be regarded as the ‘headline show’, considering it comes after Dragons’ Den.
‘Thank you for saying that Tom,’ Lord Sugar responded light-heartedly, before Tom added that his own sister show, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, comes even later on BBC Two after the fired candidate’s identity has been revealed.
At the press conference, Lord Sugar also made sure to mention his talking personalised pens that are being sold in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, with all proceeds being donated to the children’s hospital.
This year’s line-up includes a variety of intriguing individuals who are all keen to conquer the competition, from the self-professed ‘Kim Kardashian of the business world’ to a cannon expert.
So who will end up winning Lord Sugar’s investment and his mentorship? We’re raring to find out.
The Apprentice returns on Thursday at 9pm on BBC One, followed by The Apprentice: You’re Fired at 10pm on BBC Two.