The Apprentice 2026: Release date speculation and latest news

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It’s time to head back into the boardroom as The Apprentice returns to BBC One very soon.

To mark its 20th anniversary, the BBC is planning a special season with exciting new episodes, including one filmed in Hong Kong where the show’s iconic boardroom will be set.

To celebrate its 20th season, twenty hopeful entrepreneurs will compete for the chance to become Lord Sugar’s next business partner.

So, when is The Apprentice returning? Read on for everything you need to know about the new series.

Is there a release date for The Apprentice season 20?

Okay, so we don’t have a firm date just yet, but I can tell you with confidence that The Apprentice will be back in early 2026. While they haven’t pinned down the exact release date, mark your calendars for the beginning of the year – that’s when you can expect Lord Sugar and the candidates to return to your screens.

Has the cast for The Apprentice season 20 been announced?

The BBC hasn’t officially announced the cast yet. Although we’ve seen glimpses of potential actors in short trailers, a full cast list is still to come.

Who are the advisors to Lord Sugar in The Apprentice season 20?

Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell MBE are back once more as trusted aides to Lord Sugar.

Brady has been assisting Lord Sugar on The Apprentice since 2010. Tim Campbell became an aide in 2022 and continues in the role today, having previously won the very first season of the show back in 2005.

Campbell wasn’t able to participate in the last two episodes of Celebrity Apprentice due to scheduling conflicts. Mike Soutar filled in for him, but Campbell will be back for the upcoming episodes.

Is there a trailer for The Apprentice season 20?

Yes, the BBC recently unveiled the trailer for season 20, teasing what’s to come for the candidates.

Short video previews reveal the contestants racing dune buggies, scaling the steps to Hong Kong’s Big Buddha, battling a robot in a virtual reality challenge, and a guest appearance by Big Zuu.

You can watch the full trailer below:

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Ugh, I’m trying to watch this YouTube video, but it’s not working! Apparently, I need to sign out of Contentpass first to be able to see it. So frustrating, but I’ll try that and hopefully it’ll play then!

Can I apply for The Apprentice?

Great news! You can now apply for the next season of The Apprentice. However, the application window closes on January 23rd, 2026, so don’t delay!

You can visit the application site here.

Who won The Apprentice 2025?

After a long 12 weeks, Dean Franklin was crowned the winner of The Apprentice 2025.

I was confident I could handle it going in, I really believed in myself. But the first week quickly changed things – it was a harsh wake-up call,” Dean said.

Dean realized he needed to improve after being in the boardroom with the other candidates.

He explained that after the first boardroom visit and returning to the house, everything changed for him. He’d had a huge emotional outburst when he came back, and that was the turning point.

Seeing how happy everyone was when I returned made me realize I needed to make a change. I knew what I was doing wasn’t working, so I decided to try something new and really go for it. That decision helped me overcome a lot of personal obstacles and set me up for success.

The Apprentice will air on BBC One and iPlayer later this month.

Don’t miss The Apprentice! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-01-08 20:35