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Fans of The Celebrity Apprentice are in for a treat this Christmas, as the hit BBC series is set to make a triumphant return after six years away from our screens. The show, which last aired in 2019, will feature two special one-hour festive episodes ahead of the highly anticipated 20th series of The Apprentice next year.
And this time, business meets the magic of Christmas, with a trip to Lapland, a snowy reindeer-filled wonderland where the celebrity contestants will face their most heartwarming challenge yet.
For the first time ever, The Celebrity Apprentice will team up with BBC Children in Need, with profits from the challenge going directly to the charity. Lord Sugar confirmed the festive comeback, saying: “We’re back, and it’s going to be a Christmas special like no other. This time, it’s not just about business, it’s about making a difference.”
In the festive special, 12 celebrity candidates will head to Lapland, where they’ll tackle a unique challenge, to design, bake, brand, and sell their own magical Christmas gingerbread biscuits. The celebrities will then pitch their products to top UK retailers, who, for the first time in the show’s history, will actually sell the biscuits in stores across the UK. A percentage of profits from every biscuit sold will go to BBC Children in Need, allowing viewers to support the cause by purchasing the real-life products. The festive episodes are being billed as a “Christmas treat for fans” and will combine the usual competitive spirit with plenty of chaos, humour, and festive fun.
According to UK reports, this year’s Celebrity Apprentice could feature a star-studded cast including EastEnders’ Jake Wood and TV judge Rob Rinder. Music and reality TV stars such as JB Gill of JLS, Big Brother host AJ Odudu, and actress Sarah Hadland are also tipped to join the boardroom. Other rumoured contestants include comedian Eddie Kadi, Gladiators athlete Matt “Legend” Morsia, and former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner. The final four are reported to be Paralympic gold medalist Kadeena Cox, BBC Radio 1 DJ Charlie Hedges, comedian Shazia Mirza, and TV presenter Angela Scanlon.
Tim was unable to feature in the special series due to the filming dates of the two-part special – Credit: BBC/Naked
Producers are reportedly hoping to secure even bigger names, including Cheryl Tweedy and Piers Morgan, with insiders calling a potential Morgan-Lord Sugar showdown “TV gold.” A source told The Sun: “Execs want to get A-list stars involved for this very special version of The Apprentice. Few celebrities have been approached yet as the show is still at the early stages, and they want to carefully select the right mix for the programme.”
While Lord Sugar remains at the helm and Baroness Karren Brady continues as his trusted advisor, Mike Soutar will join the festive boardroom for the first time. Soutar, who previously appeared as an interviewer and business advisor on The Apprentice, is known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense approach, promising to bring added drama and expertise to the snowy challenge.
This two-part special marks the show’s first return since 2019, offering a new twist on the classic format with snow, reindeer, and charity-focused business challenges. Fans can expect plenty of laughs, drama, and perhaps a few disastrous biscuits as twelve famous faces compete for festive glory, all under the watchful eyes of Lord Sugar, Baroness Brady, and Mike Soutar. The special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this December, with the official broadcast date expected to be announced shortly.
