Applications for The Apprentice close soon

Fancy being Lord Sugar's next business partner?

Author: Alex RossPublished 7th Nov 2024

Believe it or not, Lord Alan Sugar's show The Apprentice has now had 18th series, with fitness guru Rachel Woolford being crowned the latest winner during the final on Thursday 18th April 2024.

As fans enjoyed series 18, bosses opened applications for the 19th series at the beginning of the year, and now they are open for series 20, which is expected in 2026!

How do I apply for The Apprentice?

Although application for the next series closed on Saturday 17th February 2024, applications for series 20 are now open.

The application process states: 'LORD SUGAR HAS ALREADY INVESTED CLOSE TO £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.'

Applications for series 20 close at 23.59 on Sunday 1st December 2024.

What is the prize for winning The Apprentice?

Over the years, Lord Sugar has invested nearly £3 million on past winners of The Apprentice, supporting business start-ups. If you fancy yourself as Lord Sugar's next business partner, or think you have a genius business plan, you ought to apply.

If successful in the application stage, and then in the process, 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.

Check out which other TV shows you can apply for:

Apply to be on The Apprentice

Following the series 18 final in April 2024, bosses opened up applications for the 20th series of the show, which is expected to air in 2026.


Apply to be on The Apprentice right here.


Closing date: 1st December 2024.

Apply to be on Bake Off

With the 2024 series airing every Tuesday night, bosses are on the hunt for aspiring bakers to take part in the 2025 series of The Great British Bake Off.


Apply for Bake Off right here.


Applications close on 9th December 2024.

Apply to be on The Traitors

Although applications for series three closed in March this year, BBC bosses have now renewed the hit show for a fourth series, and applications are now open! Filming is due to begin in 2025.


Apply for The Traitors right here.


Closing date: 9th February 2025

Apply to be on Race Across The World

With series five due to air in 2025, BBC bosses have now confirmed Race Across The World has been renewed for a sixth series. Applications are now open, with the show expected to air in 2026.


Apply to be on Race Across The World right here.


Closing date: 6th April 2025.

Apply to be on MAFS UK

Although the 2024 series hasn't aired yet, bosses are on the lookout for singletons to apply for the 2025 series of MAFS UK! If you are currently single and fancy marrying a stranger, this one could be for you!


Apply to be on MAFS UK right here.


Closing date: 1st February 2025.

Apply to be on Big Brother

ITV/STV bosses have confirmed Big Brother will return for a third series in 2025, with applications now open!


You can apply to be on Big Brother right here.


Closing date: Unknown

Apply to be on My Mum, Your Dad

Applications for ITV/STV dating show My Mum, Your Dad are now open! Grown-up children are being encouraged to nominate their single parents for the show, which is hosted by Davina McCall. Although there's been no official confirmation of a third series just yet, you can register your interest now.


You can apply for My Mum, Your Dad right here.


Closing date: Unknown

Apply to be on Love Island

Bosses are on the lookout for applicants for the 2025 series of Love Island.


Apply for Love Island right here.


Closing date: Unknown

Apply to be on Come Dine With Me

Come Dine With Me bosses are now on the hunt for new contestants to appear on the upcoming new series, with the winning dinner party host in with a shout of winning the £1,000 prize money!


Apply to be on Come Dine With Me 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 2023.


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 hasn't aired yet, 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 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: 19th December 2025.

Apply to be on Love Is Blind: UK

Following a successful first series, Netflix confirmed in August that Love Is Blind: UK has been renewed for a second series which will air in 2025.


Apply to be on Love Is Blind: UK right here.


Closing date: Unknown

Apply to be on MasterChef: The Professionals

If you think you can impress Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti and Gregg Wallace and be crowned the next MasterChef: The Professionals champion then this one is for you!

Apply to be on MasterChef: The Professionals right here.

Closing date: 18th April 2025.

Apply to be on Pointless

BBC bosses are always looking for contestants to appear on daytime quiz show Pointless. If you have a friend, colleague or family member who knows the obscurest of information then apply now!

Apply to be on Pointless right here.

Closing date: 3rd October 2025.


Apply to be on Dragons' Den

BBC bosses are on the lookout for entrepreneurs who would like to take part in a future series of Dragons' Den. You can show your interest now.

Apply for Dragons' Den right here.

Closing date: Unknown.

Old episodes of The Apprentice are available on the BBC iPlayer.

Now read:

The Apprentice viewers slam 'boring' and 'predictable' final

The Apprentice's most successful winners to date

The Apprentice winners: Where are they now?

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