Start date teased for series 20 of The Apprentice
The first trailer has landed!
Following part one of the Celebrity Christmas special on Monday 29th December, the BBC has now teased the 20th anniversary edition of The Apprentice, which will see a new batch of candidates attempt to impress Lord Alan Sugar.
Filmed earlier in 2025, the new series will begin in 2026 with Baroness Brady and Tim Campbell MBE, and this year there's a brand new boardroom!
When does The Apprentice start?
Although there's no exact start date just yet, a teaser posted on social media in late December said: 'New year, new series, new candidates – the hustle is on...
'The brand-new series of #TheApprentice, coming soon to #iPlayer
'The Apprentice returns for its 20th series, with the return of Lord Sugar, Baroness Brady and Tim Campbell MBE'. (sic)
Is there a trailer?
The first teaser trailer was released on 29th December 2025, with Lord Sugar teasing a change for the 20th anniversary show. In the short video, he tells the candidates: "Just because we've been doing this for a long time, doesn't mean you know what is coming next. Let me tell you, you don't."
Who are the candidates?
The candidates for series 20 haven't yet been revealed.
What channel is it on?
As ever, The Apprentice will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Who are Lord Sugar's aides?
Former winner Tim Campbell MBE once again join Both Baroness Brady to help Lord Sugar throughout the process.
Baroness Brady first joined the show back in 2010, with Tim joining as an aide a few years ago when Claude Littner was forced to miss the series due to suffering a horrific injury.
What is the prize for winning The Apprentice?
The winner of The Apprentice will go into a 50:50 business with Lord Sugar himself, as well as receiving up to £250,000 investment.
Who won The Apprentice in 2025?
Series 19 saw Lord Sugar choose Dean Franklin as his new business partner, investing £250,000 in his Air Conditioning business.
Can I apply for The Apprentice?
Although applications for series 20 closed earlier in 2025, applications are still open for the 21st series, which is expected to air in 2027.
The application page states: 'LORD SUGAR HAS ALREADY INVESTED OVER £3,000,000 IN BUSINESSES THROUGH THE APPRENTICE. COULD YOU BE HIS NEXT BIG INVESTMENT?
'If you think you've got the talent and confidence to impress Britain's toughest backer, the process starts here.'
You can apply for The Apprentice right here.
Applications are due to close on 11th January 2026.
Check out which other TV shows you can apply to be on:
Apply to be on The Great British Bake Off
Following the series 16 final in November, bosses are now on the hunt for aspiring bakers to take part in the 17th series, which is due to air in 2026.
Apply to be on Bake Off here.
Closing date: 2nd January 2026.
Apply to be on The Traitors
Whilst we await the fourth series, BBC bosses are already on the lookout for applicants for series five of The Traitors! Filming is due to take place in Summer/Autumn 2026, so if you fancy it, apply now.
Apply to be on The Traitors right here.
Closing date: 31st May 2026.
Apply to be on DIY SOS
DIY SOS is returning to BBC and Nick Knowles is on the hunt for applicants. If you want to nominate a family, or apply for yourself, you can register online now.
Apply to be on DIY SOS right here.
Closing date: Unknown.
Apply to be on The Apprentice
Although applications for series 20 of The Apprentice closed earlier this year, Lord Sugar is now on the hunt for applicants for series 21, which is scheduled to air in early 2027.
Apply to be on The Apprentice right here.
Closing date: 11th January 2026.
Apply to be on Married at First Sight UK
Applications are now open for the 2026 series of Married at First Sight UK. Channel 4 are looking for singletons who are hoping to find their forever partner.
Apply to be on Married At First Sight UK
Closing date: 1st February 2026.
Apply to be on Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly
Dog trainer Graeme Hall is on the hunt for misbehaved dogs for the new series of Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. If you have a naughty pooch, you can ask expert Graeme for help.
Apply to be on Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly right here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on Dragons' Den
BBC bosses have confirmed Dragons' Den will return for a 22nd series next year, with applications now open! If you have a business or business idea that's looking for investment, this one is for you!
Apply to be on Dragons' Den right here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on The Repair Shop
The BBC are looking for applicants for the upcoming series of hit show The Repair Shop. If you have a treasured item that's seen better days and you think the experts can help, get applying!
Apply for The Repair Shop now.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on Countdown
Channel 4 are on the lookout for brain box contestants to appear on game show Countdown.
Apply to be on Countdown right here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on The Chase
Bosses are on the hunt for contestant for series 15 of The Chase, with filming due to take place later in 2025.
Apply to be on The Chase right here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on Four In A Bed
If you're a hotel or B&B owner and you're interested in taking part in hit Channel 4 show Four In A Bed, applications are now open!
Apply to be on Four In A Bed right here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on Sort Your Life Out
Although series five of Stacey Solomon's Sort Your Life Out is airing now, it looks like the show will be back for a sixth series, as bosses are urging applicants to register their interest online.
Apply to be on Sort Your Life Out here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on Long Lost Family
Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell are looking for applicants for the new series of Long Long Family, for anyone looking for a missing family member.
Apply to be on Long Lost Family here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on You Bet!
80s challenge show You Bet! returned to our screens in 2024 with Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby. After a huge success, applications are now open for future series.
Apply to be on You Bet! here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on First Dates
Fred Sirieix and his team are looking for new contestants to set up on First Dates.
Apply to be on First Dates here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on Location, Location, Location
Property experts Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer are now casting for the 25th anniversary series of Location Location Location.
Apply to be on Location, Location, Location right here
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on The Honesty Box
After series one of dating show The Honesty Box broke viewing records for Channel 4, bosses are now on the lookout for a potential second series of the show. If you fancy finding love and discovering if honesty really is the best policy when it comes to starting a relationship, this show is for you.
Apply to be on The Honesty Box right here.
Closing date: Unknown.
Apply to be on Squid Game: The Challenge
Ahead of the second series in November 2025, Netflix have confirmed there will be a third instalment of Squid Game: The Challenge, with applications now open for people over the age of 21.
Apply to be on Squid Game: The Challenge here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on Love Island
Following the dramatic 12th series, Love Island bosses are now on the lookout for singletons for future series.
Apply to be on Love Island right here.
Closing date: Unknown
Apply to be on The Hit List
Rochelle and Marvin Humes are looking for contestants to appear on the next series of The Hit List! If you can name a tune quickly, this one is for you!
Apply to be on The Hit List right here.
Closing date: 1st March 2026.
Now read:
Applications for The Apprentice series 21 are now open
Your ultimate recap of The Apprentice series 19
Claudia Winkleman teases huge The Traitors twist as a RED CLOAK is revealed