This week sees a fresh batch of candidates compete to win a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar in the 20th series of the long-running BBC show The Apprentice.
First broadcast in the UK in February 2005, following the success of the American version featuring a certain Donald J. Trump, The Apprentice is one of the Beeb’s most successful shows.
Originally aired on BBC 2 it soon made the transition to BBC One, as viewers became hooked on the tasks set by Amstrad founder Lord Sugar.
Season 20 of the show will launch on Thursday, January 29, at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
And the first episode will see the boardroom held in Hong Kong - with Baroness Karren Brady and former winner Tim Campbell advising Lord Sugar on the suitability of the candidates.
The last entrepreneur standing will receive a cool quarter-of-a-million pound investment, along with mentorship from Lord Sugar himself.
We’ve already taken a look at their all-important business plans.
Now we’re looking at why each of the 20 candidates reckon they deserve the cash.
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5. Rajan Gill
"The first rule in business is you invest in the individual - and I’m exactly that individual. I have a proven track record running multiple businesses, I outwork everyone in the room, and “no” simply isn’t an option for me. Media walls and TV mounting aren’t a passing TikTok trend; they’re the new standard in modern homes. I’m leading the shift by making premium, safe, and visually striking setups accessible to every homeowner without the inflated price tag. The demand is exploding, the market is wide open, and with investment, I will scale this into the dominant brand in the industry." | BBC
6. Priyesh Bathia
"With the investment and Lord Sugar’s know-how, Boozy Bar can pivot into a high-growth business. This dual model will create multiple revenue streams, smoothing out seasonality and vastly increasing the addressable market. Boozy Bar uniquely bridges the gap between the live experience (on-trade) and retail product (off-trade). We are not just another mobile bar or another RTD drink, but a fusion of both with a focus on customisation, providing unique experiences that sets us apart from all competitors for all types of events." | bbc
7. Pascha Myhill
"I deserve Lord Sugar’s investment because I truly want this, not just for me but for the care and recruitment industry as a whole. I’m 21, full of passion and grit, and I’ve never been more determined to build something meaningful. This isn’t just a business idea for me, it’s my chance to make a real difference, helping care homes and nurseries and staff while building a strong, successful company. I’m willing to work harder than anyone, learn from every challenge, and do whatever it takes to make this succeed. With Lord Sugar’s support and guidance, I know I can turn my vision into a thriving, industry-leading business, and I won’t stop until it’s done." | bbc
8. Nikki Jetha
"I deserve the investment because I embody the resilience, determination and work ethic that align perfectly with Lord Sugar’s no-nonsense approach to business. No matter what challenges I’ve faced, my focus on business has never wavered. I’m one of the top advisors in my company, a position I didn’t achieve by luck but through relentless hard work, strategic thinking and an unshakable drive to be the best. Even during some of life’s biggest challenges, I never stopped working, never lost momentum, and never made excuses. I continued to push forward, proving that no obstacle is big enough to slow me down. Lord Sugar is looking for someone who won’t just talk the talk but will outwork, outlast, and outperform the competition. I don’t just have the numbers to back me up; I have the mindset, resilience and determination that separate winners from the rest." | bbc