Unusual twist in The Apprentice boardroom as Lord Sugar delivers shock firing after last‑minute U‑turn

The Apprentice is officially back, and series 20 has already put Lord Sugar’s new recruits through their paces.

After last week’s high‑pressure buying task in Hong Kong, episode two (5th February 2026) saw the candidates return to the UK to write and sell a children’s picture book and audiobook, ending in a tense boardroom that claimed barbershop owner Marcus Donkoh as the third fired candidate.

What happened in Episode 2?

The candidates were tasked with creating a children’s picture book and accompanying audiobook for four to six-year-olds, then pitching to retailers. The boys’ team struggled with a muddled story, missing illustrations and a concept Lord Sugar slammed as having “no point”, leading to poor sales.

Project manager Marcus initially brought Kieran and Dan back to the boardroom, then dramatically asked to change his mind and instead bring Priyesh in Dan’s place. Karren Brady branded Marcus’s change of heart “very unusual”, prompting Lord Sugar to haul all four men back in for a grilling.

After criticising his indecision and the team’s weak performance, Lord Sugar fired Marcus as the third candidate of the series.

Speaking after his exit, Marcus insisted he was unfairly penalised for changing his mind, claimed others had performed worse and admitted his highlight was simply “being on camera”.

What happened in Episode 1?

Across the hour, both teams struggled to get to grips with local prices and the pressure of sourcing nine specific items at rock‑bottom rates, resulting in a chaotic scramble through Hong Kong’s markets and backstreets before the deadline hit.

By the time they faced Lord Sugar, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, it was clear that mistakes had been made on both sides – and what followed was a fiery debrief that proved this 20th series won’t be offering anyone an easy ride.

Who has been fired?

Week two: Marcus Donkoh

Marcus became the third candidate fired after leading the losing team in a children’s book task, with Lord Sugar slamming their muddled, half-finished product and Marcus’s indecisive boardroom U‑turn before sending him home despite his insistence he’d been unfairly penalised.

Taking to X, some viewers expressed their surprise at the shock decision: 'Never seen that before, a PM asking to come back to change the two people to bring back in,' said one viewer.

Another wrote: 'THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE! !', while a third commented: 'This is should be the shortest season ever - they all need firing. (sic)

Week one: Georgina Newton and Nikki Jetha

The first task in Hong Kong ended in a shock double firing, as Lord Sugar sent home women’s team project manager Nikki Jetha and sub‑team leader Georgina Newton after they failed to secure enough items and racked up heavy penalties.

Their exit has already sparked debate among viewers, with many calling Georgina’s departure 'unfair' and arguing she was punished for being 'too nice' in the boardroom.

Posting to X, one viewer said: 'Nah that was harsh *** I dont think Georgina deserved to be fired! #theapprentice.' (sic)

Another wrote: 'It's a shame Georgina got fired, she seemed legitimately nice. She doesn't really fit the show's narrative that you have to be a bit of a bully to succeed in business.'

'Very enjoyable episode of #TheApprentice there because everyone was so bad,' said a third. 'But I don't like the fact Georgina was essentially fired for being nice. It's OK to be polite and listen to others in business! There wasn't a reason to blame people, so she didn't.'

When did The Apprentice start?

Episode one of The Apprentice series 20, aired on Thursday 29th January 2026 at 9pm.

The news was first announced on social media on 14th January 2026, alongside the caption: 'The wait is nearly over – but the hustle is just about to begin.

Adding, 'Watch the brand-new series of #TheApprentice on #iPlayer from 29 Jan

'The Apprentice returns for its 20th series, with the return of Lord Sugar, Baroness Brady and Tim Campbell MBE'. (sic)

How can I watch it?

New episodes of The Apprentice air at 9pm every Thursday night. The show will run for 12 weeks.

What will happen in series 20?

Per the series synopsis: 'The stakes are high from the very beginning and the first task commences with a fan-favourite buying challenge. What follows is a demanding run of tasks that takes the candidates across London and beyond, testing their instincts for branding, selling and negotiation.

'Viewers can expect to see the candidates create a children’s book, sell live on television and host a corporate away day on the Red Sea in El Gouna, Egypt, before tackling a second helping of the discount buying task on the Isle of Wight.'

The process culminates in interviews week, where the final five face Lord Sugar’s most trusted associates, who dissect and scrutinise every detail of their business plans.

Is there a trailer?

The first teaser trailer was released on 29th December 2025, with Lord Sugar teasing a change for the 20th anniversary show. Bosses then shared the official trailer just 24 hours before the new series.

Check it out below:

Who are the candidates?

The full line-up for The Apprentice’s 20th series was officially revealed on 19th January 2026, ahead of the show’s broadcast.

Here are the 20 fresh-faced hopefuls vying for Lord Sugar’s investment:

Andrea Cooper, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Carrington Saunders, South East London

Conor Galvin, Cork, Ireland

Dan Miller, Richmond, London

Georgina Newton, East London (FIRED)

Harry Clough, Battersea, London

Karishma Vijay, Ashford, Surrey

Kieran McCartney, East London

Lawrence Rosenberg, Watford, Hertfordshire

Levi Hague, Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Marcus Donkoh,, South London (FIRED)

Megan Ruiter, Wirral

Nikki Jetha, Hornchurch, Essex (FIRED)

Pascha Myhill, Reading, Berkshire

Priyesh Bathia, Harrow, London

Rajan Gill, Medway, Kent

Rothna Akhtar, East London

Roxanne Hamedi, Aberdeen, Scotland

Tanmay Hingorani, Islington, London

Vanessa Tetteh‑Squire Enfield, London

Where is it filmed?

In celebration of the 20th anniversary, and for the first time ever in the show's history, the first episode will see Lord Sugar's boardroom in Hong Kong.

Filming for the remainder of the series takes place in London.

What channel is it on?

As ever, The Apprentice airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Who are Lord Sugar's aides?

Former winner Tim Campbell MBE once again join Both Baroness Karren Brady to help Lord Sugar throughout the process.

Baroness Brady first joined the show back in 2010, with Tim joining as an aide a few years ago when Claude Littner was forced to miss the series due to suffering a horrific injury.

What is the prize for winning The Apprentice?

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.

Who won The Apprentice in 2025?

Series 19 saw Lord Sugar choose Dean Franklin as his new business partner, investing £250,000 in his Air Conditioning business.

Can I apply for The Apprentice?

Applications for the 21s series, which is due to air in 2027, closed on Friday 23rd January 2026.

Check out which other TV shows you can apply to be on:

Now read:

Applications for The Apprentice series 21 are now open

Your ultimate recap of The Apprentice series 19

All of the TV shows we can’t wait to return

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