LORD ALAN SUGAR will see you now . . . in Hong Kong.
The famous Apprentice boardroom has moved out of London for the first time as the show makes big changes to mark its landmark 20th series.
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The Apprentice is moving to Hong Kong for its 20th series
Last series saw Lord Sugar choose Dean Franklin as his new business partner
I hear bosses have pulled out all the stops for the milestone, starting with a no-expense spared trip to Asia for all the candidates.
A teaser for this month’s return showed the business capital’s skyline as the backdrop to the boardroom scenes instead of London’s Canary Wharf.
I can also reveal there will be 20 budding entrepreneurs desperately trying to impress Lord Sugar and win his cash, compared with the usual 18.
Trusty advisors Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell are back to help keep an eye on proceedings.
read more on The Apprentice
Ziss-ling
The Apprentice star Luisa Zissman shows off figure in bikini as she quits UK
CASHING IN
I got fired from The Apprentice but make six figures a month OUTSIDE of my work
A source said: “Lord Sugar is supercharging The Apprentice for its 20th anniversary.
“Expect more surprises and drama as they swap the Canary Wharf skyline for Hong Kong.”
The usual £250,000 investment is up for grabs.
Last series saw Lord Sugar choose Dean Franklin as his new business partner, investing in his air conditioning venture.
The Apprentice UK began in 2005. Lord Sugar hired his first winner, Tim Campbell, to work with him — marking the start of the business reality show’s success story. Tim returned as an adviser in 2022.
The Beeb recently ordered its first full season of The Celebrity Apprentice, to air later this year.
It’s not yet known who will appear in the six-parter. But the 20th anniversary celebrations kicked off last month with two celeb festive specials.
JB Gill, Angela Scanlon, Sarah Hadland, Matt Morsia, Thomas Skinner and Shazia Mirza triumphed, with their Christmas cookies during a challenge set in Lapland.
They beat Rob Rinder, Charlie Hedges, Aj Odudu, Eddie Kadi, Jake Wood and Kadeena Cox.
Bizbit
THE new series of BBC banking drama Industry saw Marisa Abela win in the style stakes as Yasmin.
She said: “Bottega Veneta lent a lot of bags, Cartier lent a lot of jewellery. A Prada skirt, some Saint Laurent.
“Lots of it had to be tailored to me, hence me getting to keep things.”
PHANTOM GLAD TO JOIN SAS
AFTER a last-minute call-up for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, Phantom only had one answer – Gladiator, ready!
Drafted in just nine hours before jetting to the course, Toby Olubi didn’t hesitate to grab the opportunity.
Gladiator Phantom was a last-minute addition to Celebrity SAS: Who Dares WinsCredit: BBC
He said: “It’s a case of, ‘Yeah, why not?’. I’m so happy I got to do it.”
But he soon realised muscles alone were not going to pull him through.
“I would say it was a false sense of security if I just thought my physicality was going to be the only thing which helped me go through.
“There were a lot of mental battles.
“There were definitely tasks where being big and strong was the worst thing you wanted to be.”
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins continues tonight on Channel 4 at 9pm.
PARTY TIME FOR ANGELA
ANGELA RIPPON is getting ready to celebrate 60 years on telly – and she’s let me in on her plans for a huge bash.
The 81-year old began at BBC South West before becoming the first woman to permanently present the BBC’s national news in 1975.
Angela Rippon is getting ready to celebrate 60 years on TVCredit: BBC
“On September 5, it’ll be exactly 60 years since I did my very first television broadcast,” said Angela, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. “So I’m looking forward to having a celebration.
“It’ll be a wonderful way of getting together with people with whom I’ve worked over the last 60 years.”
She’s still close pals with her Strictly partner Kai Widdrington and says he’ll be top of the list.
Next up for Angela is Channel 5 travel series Great River Cruise Journeys, out in February.
It sees her visit Vietnam and Cambodia as well as Hungary, Austria and Germany.
Here’s to many more adventures for you, Angela.
