The Apprentice 2019: Everything you need to know about the business TV show

It's the show's 15th anniversary

The Apprentice contestants

by William Marriott |
Updated on

It's what we've all been waiting for so we're buzzing to say that FINALLY, one of TV's most talked about shows is back - The Apprentice.

Celebrating it's 15th anniversary, the hit BBC reality/business programme is set to be the best yet, with its producers picking some VERY interesting and outspoken characters.

This new bunch are all vying for the top spot and hoping to take home the £250,000 investment from Lord Alan Sugar. They've said they'll do whatever it takes to win, so just how explosive will this series be?

What has happened so far?

Week three

Souleyman Bah
©BBC

In this week's task, the teams were tasked with making their own toy, accompanied by an online video that would help to promote their product.

Pamela Laird led Team Empower, while Riyonn Farsad led Team Unison. The latter designed Tommy the Talking Turtle and Team Empower created Sparkle Star, a flying unicorn with a fun, slimy twist.

It wasn't great for Riyonn and his team, who secured NO orders. However, Pamela led her team to victory, gaining 2000 orders of the innovative unicorn design.

And it was even worse for Souleyman Bah, who was brought back in the boardroom to then be shown the exit. Cue Souleyman walking away with his suitcase...

Week two

Kenna Ngoma
©BBC

Summoning the business hopefuls to the famous ice rink at Alexandra Palace, Lord Sugar revealed this week's task was to "make your own ice lolly." How simple this is. Oh how they struggled.

The boys' team made a healthy lavender lollies (grim), while the girls' team made cherry cola retro lollies.

The girls won, with a clear profit margin of over £100, leaving the boys' turning on each other (again) and project manager Kenna Ngoma brought Ryan-Mark Parsons and Dean Ahmad back into the boardroom.

Lord Sugar wasn't surprised at the result, calling the boys' team "a disaster" before giving Kenna the boot with the iconic phrase, "You're fired!"

Week one

Lord Sugar
©BBC

The new batch of contestants were sent to CAPE TOWN in South Africa for the biggest (and most expensive) task yet, asked to host and sell tickets for a once in a lifetime experience safari for their guests. However, if their tour was forgettable, guests were allowed to ask for refunds, meaning profits decreasing...

Back in England, the boardroom was set alight and rows erupted, after the male team were FUMING that they'd lost the task, with just £45 banked.

Project manager Lewis Ellis decided to bring back Shahin Hassan and Dean Ahmad, saying they didn't sell enough tickets. Of course, that didn't go down well with either of the contestants, but Shahin became the first candidate to be booted from the show.

Who are this year's contestants?

Gallery

The Apprentice contestants 2019

Carina Lepore1 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Carina Lepore

30-year-old Carina owns an artisan bakery. She's from South London and believes she has what it takes to be Lord Sugar's next business partner, as "it's written in the stars". Carina also credits herself as a natural leader.

Iasha Masood2 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Iasha Masood

Isasha, 27, is an account from Manchester, who says she is a "fierce businesswoman with sass and class". She thinks her fellow competitors will underestimate her, but will be shocked by her "controversial" and "eccentric" personality.

Jemelin Artigas3 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Jemelin Artigas

34-year-old network marketing consultant Jemelin likes things to be done her way and has revealed she is "next-level stubborn". Jemelin says she "never has problems, I only have solutions".

Lottie Lion4 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Lottie Lion

Lottie is 19 and from Somerset. She is a librarian, who is "very cut-throat". Lottie believes she will bring class to the competition, shocking her fellow contestants.

Lubna Farhan5 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Lubna Farhan

Luton born Lubna is a 33-year-old finance manager and mother of two. She believes her rise from a "council estate" shows how she has made herself into "something good". Lubna credits herself as someone with "the whole package".

Scarlett Allen-Horton6 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Scarlett Allen-Horton

32-year-old Scarlett, from the West Midlands, owns a recuritment company and believes her "upbeat personality" is her best asset in helping her win the competition. In her words, she's "been the highest performer across every workplace I have worked in."

Pamela Laird7 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Pamela Laird

Pamela, 30, from South London, owns a beauty brand. She says she is fiesty and passionate, crediting her "entrepreneurial gene" as her reason for success.

Marianne Rawlins8 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Marianne Rawlins

Marianne, 36, is from Lincolnshire and owns a risk management company. Moving to the UK in 2017 from the US, she says she has no filter and is the "epitome" of 'don't judge a book by its cover', but has said she needs to tone down her "American-ness."

Dean Ahmad9 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Dean Ahmad

20-year-old Dean is from Essex, who believes he's got the "gift of the gab". He owns a Sports Management Agency, a company which he founded aged 15. Dean says he can "persuade anyone to do anything."

Kenna Ngoma10 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Kenna Ngoma

Kenna, 24, is from Greater Manchester and owns an alcohol-infused ice cream company. He says he has an "infectious personality" and used to play professionally for Manchester City before he got injured.

Riyonn Farsad11 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Riyonn Farsad

Riyonn is a 30-year-old events manager from South London. He says he has never come across anyone that doesn't like him.

Lewis Ellis12 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Lewis Ellis

Lewis, 28, is from Lancashire and is a digital marketing project manager. He is a "maverick" who doesn't follow the rules. Lewis says he's very confident, which is sometimes viewed as arrogance. However, he doesn't think he's "better than anyone else."

Ryan-Mark Parsons13 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Ryan-Mark Parsons

Ryan-Mark, 19, is the youngest contestant this year. Yet, he believes age is irrelevant when business is being discussed. Ryan-Mark describes himself as the "epitome of luxury."

Shahin Hassan14 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Shahin Hassan

Birmingham born Shahin says he is "ruthless in the pursuit of success", crediting Elon Musk as one of his role models. The 36-year-old says his best quality is "thinking outside of the box."

Thomas Skinner15 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Thomas Skinner

Thomas, 28, is from East London and owns a pillow company. He started working aged 12 doing a paper round and moved to working on the markets aged 16. Thomas says he is a "chancer", but it works in his favour.

Souleyman Bah16 of 16
CREDIT: BBC

Souleyman Bah

20-year-old Souleyman is a para athlete and motivational speaker. He trains with the GB Paralympic Olympic Team as a sprinter. Souleyman says he is going to be extremely honest and will fight for his place in the competition.

Is there a trailer for The Apprentice 2019?

Was The Apprentice cancelled?

It was long rumoured the show had been cancelled, but it's back for its 15th series and it's still going strong, with great ratings and a cast to rival the Love Islanders.

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