As The Apprentice gears up for its landmark 20th series, the BBC has thrown a curveball with a star-studded celebrity special. For the first time, a host of famous faces have braved the infamous boardroom, and one very fortunate journalist was granted unprecedented access to watch the drama unfold live.
An Unprecedented Invitation Behind The Scenes
Despite years of working on the show and interviewing its key figures—Lord Alan Sugar, Baroness Karren Brady, and Tim Campbell—the inner sanctum of the boardroom had always been off-limits. That changed with an unexpected invitation to sit in on the filming of the Celebrity Apprentice special, airing on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th April at 9pm on BBC One.
The decision to accept was easy, especially upon discovering the line-up of celebrities brave enough to face the sharp-tongued business mogul. The dozen stars include Rob Rinder, AJ Odudu, Strictly finalists Sarah Hadland and JB Gill, former EastEnders actor Jake Wood, and Matt Morsia—better known as 'Legend' from Gladiators.
Secrets of the Iconic Boardroom Revealed
Walking through the familiar reception area and into the boardroom itself was a surreal experience. The space is much larger than it appears on television, with the extra room occupied by a bank of cameras capturing every angle. Contrary to popular rumour, Lord Sugar's chair is not on a box to elevate him. However, his chair, along with those of Baroness Brady and aide Mike Soutar, are locked in place with blocks.
Notably, the wheels have been removed from the candidates' chairs—a clear sign Lord Sugar tolerates no fidgeting during his grillings. The atmosphere was punctual and professional, with Baroness Brady arriving first, exuding a calm but formidable presence, followed by a crisp-suited Mike Soutar.
Celebrity Nerves and Spicy Comebacks
The celebrities, split into two teams, were tasked with creating and pitching a festive gingerbread biscuit after a trip to Lapland. As they filed into the boardroom, nervous energy was palpable, with stars fiddling with their clothes. The tense silence was broken only by Rob Rinder asking if Lord Sugar was always late, to which Baroness Brady sharply replied, 'He's never late.'
When Lord Sugar arrived, an 80-minute grilling ensued. While the full details are under wraps, there were several toe-curling and hilarious moments. Matt 'Legend' Morsia boldly bit back, defending his team's advert as 'abstract art' and calling criticism of their biscuit 'outrageous'. Sarah Hadland, seemingly channelling her experience with Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood, also unleashed a string of quick-fire retorts.
The experience confirmed that the boardroom's intensity is not a product of clever editing. Lord Sugar is the unequivocal ringmaster, with nothing happening without his say-so. The dynamic shifted with celebrities, however; unburdened by the need for a job or investment, their 'bolshie' personas soon emerged after initial nerves faded.
After the winning team was revealed, the journalist's unique access was abruptly ended with a flick of Lord Sugar's finger, mirroring the fate of countless fired candidates. The final boardroom showdown remains a secret for viewers to discover. The Celebrity Apprentice promises a unique and explosive twist on the classic format, proving that even famous faces aren't safe from Sir Alan's firing finger.
