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Alan Sugar fires up for new series

Posted 26 March 2007 at 9:42AM by Simon Dickson in Light relief

I know quite a few people who loathe the UK version of The Apprentice, which starts another twelve-week run on Wednesday. Most of them, admittedly, are Arsenal supporters who haven't forgotten Sir Alan Sugar's unsuccessful and occasionally comical time as chairman of Spurs. Others say it pales in comparison with the glitzy presentation and super-slick contestants of the American original fronted by Donald Trump.

Indeed, Sugar was reportedly reluctant to do a third series, citing his disappointment at the calibre of the contestants last time round, and had to be persuaded to return by the production company's chief executive. So expectations are high for the sixteen new candidates hoping for a six-figure salary and the experience - not to mention the exposure - of working alongside one of Britain's highest-profile entrepreneurs.

And what a mixed bunch they are. Tre Azam left school with two A Levels, going on to run his family's computing business; Dr Sophie Kain is a researcher with a PhD in Theoretical Physics. Gerri Blackwood turned down the offer of a job with MI5 to be on the show; Rory Laing is described as a 'Bankrupt Entrepreneur', who gave up his job as a waiter to participate.

As ever, the candidates are split into two teams and face weekly challenges, under the gaze of the millionaire's minions, Margaret and Nick. The winning team gets a luxury treat, whilst the losers must face Sir Alan and await those dreaded words - 'you're fired'.

For the eventual winner, though, it's hardly a job for life. The winner of series one, Tim Campbell has just resigned to start his own male grooming business. And famously, series two winner Michelle Dewberry walked out after four months. Born in 1979, she has just published her 'inspirational' autobiography, Anything Is Possible.

The show airs at 9pm on BBC1, with the follow-up chat show on BBC2 immediately afterwards. Like a lot of these shows, it's a guilty pleasure - but at least you can persuade yourself that it's a management training video. Even if, on occasions, it's a case study in 'how not to do something'.

Tags: Alan Sugar, bbc, The Apprentice

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