The Apprentice Unveils Candidates Ahead Of Its Biggest Ever Series

Including a boxing gold medallist, a pest control expert, a safari guide and the "Kim Kardashian of business".
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Lord Sugar with this year's 18 new Apprentice candidates
BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

We’re just days away from a brand new series of The Apprentice, and this time around producers are going bigger and better with more candidates than ever before.

The 18 hopefuls who’ll be put through their paces in a bid to secure a life-changing investment from Alan Sugar have now been unveiled – and perhaps more importantly, so have their introductory one-liners.

So, grab yourself a cup of tea and get to know the candidates ahead of The Apprentice’s return on Thursday evening… 

Avi

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BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

From: London

Current job: City banker

He says: Lord Sugar’s investment will help me escape the rat race of a banking job. I’m the hardest working rat he’ll ever meet.”

Bradley

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BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

From: North Yorkshire

Current job: Director of a construction company

He says: “A lot of people in business – I’m not saying everyone – have inherited their businesses, this is not the case for myself. I was made redundant in 2019 and now, we’re turning over half-a-million, which is something I’m immensely proud of.”

Dani

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BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

From: Hertfordshire

Current job: Salon owner

She says:I’m a different kind of business owner, which is a lot more relatable to people. That is really what I would like to promote as a person, that business is something that doesn’t need to be fancy words and suits.”

Denisha 

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BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

From: Leicestershire

Current job: Financial controller

She says: “I know the dreams I want to achieve. There’s only one Denisha Kaur… I’m a woman who wants to create an empire and have it all; to be able to provide for my family and to be an inspiration to young women.” 

Emma

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From: County Kildare

Current job: Senior account executive

She says: “I will do anything to succeed... I am confident that whether I win the investment from Lord Sugar or not, I am going to make my company one of the most successful ideas to ever come out of The Apprentice. Watch this space.” 

Gregory

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From: Shropshire

Current job: Owner of an online antiques marketplace

He says: “My motto is: ‘Life is a waste of time, and time is a waste of life. So if you get wasted all the time, you’ll have the time of your life.’” 

Joe

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BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

From: Worcestershire

Current job: Safari guide in South Africa

He says: “I’m the James Bond of the business world. I’ve got the acumen. I’ve got the experience. And I’m pretty sure I’ve got the looks as well.”

Kevin

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BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

From: Dublin

Current job: Accountant

He says: “In short, I can be a little outspoken, so [my biggest weakness is] probably not knowing when to shut up.”

Mark 

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From: London

Current job: Owner of a pest control company

He says: “I’m very talkative with the charm to match – I can sell to anyone. I’ve been around the world and have met hundreds of different people, from members of the royal family to celebrities. I can always speak to them in a confident manner.” 

Marnie

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BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

From: London

Current job: Court advocate

She says:I deserve Lord Sugar’s investment because I have given my blood, sweat and tears to my business. I think that taking the experience I have in the boxing industry and all the experience that he has in the business industry, together we would be a winning combination.” 

Megan

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From: East Yorkshire

Current job: Owner of sweet shop and café

She says: “No matter what situation I am thrown into, I will always give one hundred percent truth, even if it’s hard to hear. I always believe that honesty is the most important thing in business.”  

Reece

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From: Glasgow

Current job: Owner of a theatre school

He says: “I’m here to prove that Scotland is filled with forward-thinking entrepreneurs and that we are not in fact a haggis-eating, kilt-wearing nation.” 

Rochelle

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From: Bedfordshire

Current job: Owner of a hair salon and academy

She says: “I’m always being compared to the Kim Kardashian of the business world because I’m doing business with a hint of glam.” 

Shannon

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From: West Yorkshire

Current job: Owner of a bridal boutique

She says: “My USP is the fact that I’ve got a million-pound business, that might hopefully be a multi-million-pound business in the coming months!”

Shazia

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From: London

Current job: Tech recruiter

She says: “My USP is my ADHD, which means I can process information faster than others. This often means that my reaction time is quicker, and I look at things differently.” 

Simba

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Simba
BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

From: Birmingham

Current job: Senior sales rep

He says: “My biggest weakness is that I’m a perfectionist, I always want to get things right.” 

Sohail

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From: Southampton

Current job: Owner of a martial arts school

He says: “Owning a martial arts business means Lord Sugar can learn how to kick ass for free.” 

Victoria

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Victoria
BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

From: Merseyside

Current job: Owner of an online sweet shop

She says: “As a former flight attendant and now a business owner, my customer service skills are unrivalled. I know what consumers want. I’ve travelled all over the world and I’m not afraid to take on a challenge.”

The Apprentice returns on Thursday night at 9pm on BBC One.