In an exclusive interview ahead of the landmark 20th series of The Apprentice, Lord Alan Sugar has opened up about his future plans for the hit BBC business reality show, while also delivering a characteristically blunt assessment of Tottenham Hotspur's recent footballing woes.
Commitment to The Apprentice with a Humorous Twist
The 78-year-old business magnate has recently signed a new contract that will see him continue to present the programme for another three years, taking him into his early eighties. When asked if the show helps him maintain his vitality, Lord Sugar quipped that part of his agreement with the BBC included the provision of an "electronic Zimmer frame."
"Three years takes me to about 82 I suppose, the time I'm finished," he remarked. "But I'll carry on as long as the BBC want me to and I will know personally when it's time for me to kind of hang up my finger, if you know what I mean. As the footballers say, they hang up their boots, hang up my finger or something. I'm happy about it. I'm a very fit person."
No Plans to Wait for the Axe
Lord Sugar emphasised that while he remains fully committed to The Apprentice, he will be the one to decide when his tenure ends, rather than waiting to be dismissed from the programme. This determination reflects his characteristic self-assurance and control over his professional destiny.
Candid Football Commentary
The conversation took an unexpected turn when the Mirror asked the former Tottenham owner about the club's current manager, Thomas Frank, following a string of disappointing results. Lord Sugar did not hold back in his assessment.
"I have no comment really about that poor sod," he stated. "I mean, I think the whole bloody team should be fired. They're useless. Bloody useless. And, you know, they're getting close to the relegation zone."
He went on to discuss the recent change in ownership at Tottenham, with Daniel Levy departing and billionaire Joe Lewis taking control. "He needs to start throwing some money, some real money at it to get the top players. And if he throws more money at it, they'll do well, I guess. Seems to be the only way that all these clubs do, is buy players for £100million each, or something."
Milestone 20th Series Launch
The new series of The Apprentice launches this week with an expanded cohort of twenty candidates vying for Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment. The opening episode features a dramatic relocation to Hong Kong for a challenging task, though Lord Sugar revealed the experience did not go entirely smoothly.
"Having spent a fortune flying 20 people out to Hong Kong, not to mention 20 production people and myself, yeah it was disappointing," he admitted. He explained that candidates received a stern reprimand "in technicolour" that was ultimately edited out of the final broadcast, with a more tempered version making it to air.
Diverse Challenges Ahead
This series will see contestants tackle a variety of demanding business tasks including:
- Creating and marketing a children's book
- Selling products during live television broadcasts
- Hosting a corporate away day in El Gouna, Egypt
Advisor Perspectives
Baroness Karren Brady, who returns alongside former winner Tim Campbell as an advisor to Lord Sugar, shared her thoughts on the new candidates. "They're full of energy. They weren't very nervous. Some are a bit overconfident. There's a real mix of personalities," she observed.
Regarding the selection process, Brady noted: "Everyone always asks me, do you know who the winner is when they walk into the boardroom? And of course we don't, because we don't know what they're capable of just yet. That comes out in the process."
Reflecting on Two Decades of Success
Baroness Brady also reflected on the programme's remarkable longevity and evolution over twenty series. "I think it's incredible to think we've reached the 20th series. That's a real milestone for any television show," she said. "And I think it speaks volumes about the strength of The Apprentice as a format and as a brand, two decades on, it's still entertaining, it's still competitive, and actually it's still as relevant as ever."
She highlighted how the show has adapted to changes in the business landscape: "The business world has changed massively since series one, and the show has changed with it, we've got more entrepreneurial candidates, they're more digitally savvy, they are more aware of social impact and innovation."
The Apprentice Series 20 begins on Thursday night on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer at 9pm.
