Fans of the BBC show The Apprentice are in for a post-Christmas treat.
The long-running business reality programme, hosted by Lord Alan Sugar, returns in the new year for its 17th season.
The most recent instalment was confirmed in November, but we now have a release date. And it won’t be long until we see contestants being ‘fired’ left, right, and centre.
So, when will The Apprentice 2023 premiere? And what else do we know about the series this year?
Here’s what we know.
When does The Apprentice 2023 start?
The 17th series of The Apprentice is set to launch on Thursday, January 5 2023.
It’ll air on BBC One, time 9pm. For now, you can still catch series 16 on BBC iPlayer.
Who are the judges on The Apprentice?
Lord Sugar will be joined by advisor Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell MBE, the first UK winner of The Apprentice.
Tim appeared in Series 16 as a stand-in for fan favourite Claude Littner, who was recovering from injuries received in a major bike accident in April 2021, including learning to walk again.
Claude has been set to return for two episodes in Series 17, but Tim will also be returning after proving to be a tremendous hit.
A show insider told the PA news agency in November 2022: ‘We were really pleased to have Claude back – he is a much-loved part of The Apprentice and Tim (Campbell) was a big hit with viewers last time so to have them both in the new series is a real treat.’
What do we know about the new series so far?
This year, a record 18 contenders will compete for a prized business partnership with Lord Sugar.
The winner of the show usually receives a £250,000 investment in their own business, like Harpreet Kaur did for her dessert delivery company Oh So Yum in season 16.
The programme hasn’t had this many candidates since 2013, therefore this is shaping up to be one of the most popular series yet.
It was previously stated that the contestants’ first duty in the new series will be to travel to the Caribbean island of Antigua, where they will create and sell tourist tours.
Back in the UK, they face a slew of problems, including developing cartoons, presenting immersive events, delving into the realm of male cosmetic products, and navigating the street food sector.
Who are the Apprentice candidates?
There are 18 candidates taking part in the series this year, ranging from a cannon firer to a safari guide.
Here’s who you’ll be watching in the coming weeks:
- Avi Sharma, city banker from London
- Bradley Johnson, director of a construction company, from North Yorkshire
- Dani Donovan, owner of a hair salon, from Hertfordshire
- Denish Kaur Bharj, financial controller, from Leicestershire
- Emma Browne, senior account executive, from County Kildare
- Gregory Ebbs, owner of an online antiques marketplace, from Shropshire
- Joseph Phillips, safari guide, from Worcestershire
- Kevin D’Arcy, accountant, from Dublin
- Mark Moseley, pest control company owner, from London
- Marnie Swindells, court advocate, from London
- Megan Hornby, sweet shop and cafe owner, from East Yorkshire
- Reece Donnelly, theatre school owner, from Glasgow
- Rochelle Anthony, hair salon and academy owner, from Bedfordshire
- Shannon Martin, bridal boutique owner, from West Yorkshire
- Shazia Hussain, technology recruiter, from London
- Simba Rwambiwa, senior sales representative, from Birmingham
- Sohail Chowdary, martial arts school owner, from Southampton
- Victoria Golbourne, online sweet business owner, from Merseyside