Lord Sugar has revealed that a 'heated exchange' was cut from the premiere episode of the new series of The Apprentice after what he described as a 'shocking' performance from the competing teams left him seething with disappointment. The much-loved BBC business reality show, which first aired in 2005, is set to return this week for its milestone 20th series, featuring Lord Sugar, 78, Baroness Karren Brady, 56, and Timothy Anthony Campbell MBE, 48, putting 18 new candidates through a series of tricky challenges.
Hong Kong Scavenger Hunt Proves Challenging for Teams
The first episode sees the teams travel to Hong Kong for a classic scavenger hunt task, where they must find a specific number of items within a set time limit around the region. Although this might appear straightforward, both groups struggled significantly, failing to impress the business magnate. Speaking at a Q&A session during the press screening for the 20th series earlier this month, Lord Sugar expressed his frustration, noting that the show had conducted dummy runs beforehand to ensure the items were obtainable.
'Quite Shocking' Results Lead to Edited Confrontation
Lord Sugar elaborated on the teams' poor performance, stating, 'One of the teams only found two of them, and the other team found three of them, and even then they got them wrong. It was quite shocking, really.' He admitted that while viewers will see a 'mild disapproval' from him in the aired version, there was actually a more intense confrontation that was edited out. 'But there was actually a little bit more of a heated exchange when I told them how disappointed I was,' he confessed, highlighting the severity of the teams' failure.
No All Stars Version for The Apprentice
Amid speculation about potential All Stars editions, similar to those seen on shows like ITV's Love Island and I'm A Celebrity, Lord Sugar firmly dismissed the idea for The Apprentice. He argued that bringing back former contestants would remove the element of surprise, comparing it to retaking an exam with prior knowledge. 'It would be a gimmick to be honest with you,' he said, criticising the American version of the show for relying on such tactics. 'If it's not broke, don't fix it. That's why I say,' he added, emphasising the success of the current format.
Future of the Show Secured for Three More Years
During the Q&A, Lord Sugar joked about whether he would give up the show, but instead confirmed its longevity. 'No, I wouldn't, absolutely not, definitely not,' he said when asked if he had anticipated the show lasting so long. He then revealed, 'But just to answer my own question... we're signed up for another three years. So you've got me for another three years!' This news will delight fans, assuring them that The Apprentice is not going anywhere soon.
Excitement Builds for 20th Series with Hong Kong Twist
The BBC has announced a significant change for the upcoming series, with the first episode featuring the boardroom in Hong Kong—a show first. In a recently released trailer, Lord Sugar teased, 'The twentieth series of The Apprentice is coming. Just because we've been doing this for a while, doesn't mean you know what's coming next. Let me tell you, you don't.' Fans have eagerly responded on social media, with comments such as 'I can't wait for series 20' and 'Absolutely love the show,' showcasing the enduring popularity of the programme.
The Apprentice returns to BBC One on 29 January and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer, marking two decades of business challenges and dramatic boardroom showdowns.
