Toni Laites, who won Love Island and became a fan favorite, has admitted she didn’t recognize Lord Alan Sugar before joining the cast of Celebrity Apprentice.
Toni Laites was a groundbreaking contestant on last year’s Love Island, becoming the first American to join the show as a late arrival. She ultimately won the season after pairing up with Cach Mercer.
The cast for the first season of The Celebrity Apprentice was announced last month, and it includes the winner of Love Island.
Okay, let me tell you, watching Stephen Graham get visibly moved during his co-star’s speech at the BAFTAs was a really touching moment. But the story behind the awards is even more surprising! Apparently, Toni, a fan favorite from ‘TopMob Adolescence,’ just admitted she had absolutely no clue who Alan Sugar was before joining the BBC show. I mean, Lord Sugar? A total UK icon! It just goes to show you never know what surprises you’ll find behind the scenes, even with someone as well-known as ‘The Apprentice’ host.
Toni explained that she didn’t recognize Alan Sugar when she first met him, and she believes that actually helped her stay calm during the boardroom meetings.
She hinted at an unforgettable new season, promising viewers a truly memorable experience.
The cast of the show includes singer Alexandra Burke, actor Danny Miller, presenter Gethin Jones, dancer and presenter Jordan Banjo, journalist Kay Burley, actress and online personality Maddie Grace Jepson, presenter and content creator Max Balegde, Gladiator Sheli McCoy, DJ Spoony, presenter Richie Anderson, and comedian Laura Smyth, all joining Toni.
The celebrities are competing for a £100,000 prize to donate to their chosen charity. Toni explained to TopMob that she joined the show to raise money for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, an organization that helps people living with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
I actually live with ulcerative colitis myself, so this project really means a lot to me. Honestly, it’s incredible to get opportunities like this – it feels deeply personal and rewarding.
The first celebrity version of the show premiered in 2007, raising money for Comic Relief. Celebrities like Piers Morgan and Cheryl Cole participated.
The show returned the next year with Alan Carr and Jonathan Ross, and again in 2019 with Amanda Holden and Rylan Clark as the featured guests.
Last December, a special two-part episode of The Apprentice, featuring celebrities, aired to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary and raise money for Children in Need. The next season of The Celebrity Apprentice will be the first complete season with only celebrity contestants.
The Celebrity Apprentice is expected to air in late 2026.
Authors
Katelyn Mensah is a Senior Entertainment Writer at TopMob, where she covers a wide range of programs, from popular reality TV shows to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, reporting on reality television and celebrity news. She holds a Journalism degree.
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Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she oversaw their local team. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.
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2026-05-10 19:34