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

Fans think the show needs a makeover...

Author: Alex RossPublished 24th Mar 2023

Series 17 of entertainment show The Apprentice came to an end last night (Thursday 23rd March), as Lord Alan Sugar hired Marnie Swindells as his latest business partner, gifting her a cool £250,000 investment.

But as the one-hour final episode aired, with Marnie fighting it out against Rochelle Anthony, viewers were left incredibly disappointed, with many calling it 'boring and predictable'.

One wrote: 'Worst series of The Apprentice ever. Boring tasks and all very flat. Disappointing #TheApprentice'. (sic)

Another added: 'The show needs a complete makeover with real down to earth people or it will die', with another adding: 'It's had its day. Its wannabes for their 5 mins of fame'. (sic)

Another viewer took to Twitter to write: 'I’m gonna say it: The Apprentice has really fallen off. I remember when the final five were actually smart and their businesses and plans were mostly good. These people are just idiots and the interviews don’t work when the candidates are SO out of their depth. #TheApprentice'. (sic)

Check out the most successful winners of The Apprentice to date:

Ricky Martin

Series: 8
Year: 2012
Company: Hyper Recruitment Solutions
Net assets: £2,260,000

Tom Pellereau

Series: 7
Year: 2011
Company: Stylideas
Net assets: £1,370,000

Dr Leah Totton

Series: 9
Year: 2013
Company: Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics
Net assets: £664,490

Alana Spencer

Series: 12
Year: 2016
Company: Ridiculously Rich by Alana
Net assets: £494,740

Mark Wright

Series: 10
Year: 2014
Company: Climb Online
Net assets: £471,940

Carina Lepore

Series: 15
Year: 2019
Company: Dough Artisan Bakehouse
Net assets: £260,300

Sarah Lynn

Series: 13
Year: 2017
Company: Sweets In The City
Net assets: £220,080

Sian Gabbidon

Series: 14
Year: 2018
Company: Sian Marie Fashion
Net assets: £130,280

James White

Series: 13
Year: 2017
Company: Right Time Recruitment
Net assets: £92,210

Harpreet Kaur

Series: 16
Year: 2022
Company: Oh So Yum
Net assets: £2,600

The final episode saw Marnie and Rochelle take on the most important business pitch of their careers in an attempt to convince Lord Sugar and industry experts that they were worth the investment.

Just like past series, the pair were also supported by a number of candidates who had been fired earlier in the series, including Megan Hornby, Victoria Goulbourne, Simba Rwambiwa, and Avi Sharma.

Speaking about her victory, Marnie said: "What an incredible opportunity and moment for a girl like me to get to a place like this and have become Lord Sugar’s business partner.

“It feels strange to even say that, but I’m not going to stop saying it because I am so happy.”

Despite reviews of the 17th series not being great, it's understood the BBC do plan on bringing the show back next year, with applications for series 18 being open earlier this year.

After applications shut in February, it's understood the show will be filmed later this year, before airing on BBC One in early 2024.

You can catch up on old episodes of The Apprentice on BBC iPlayer.

Now read:

The Apprentice flooded with complaints over 'brutal' interviews

The Apprentice series 17: Winner revealed

The Apprentice's most successful winners to date

How to listen to Hits Radio:

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online, ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio' and download the Rayo app.