The Apprentice series 18: Winner revealed
Lord Sugar has a new business partner!
After 17 successful series, the 2024 series of The Apprentice finally hit our screens on Thursday 1st February, as Lord Alan Sugar looked for his next business partner in series 18!
Lord Sugar returned to the show alongside his trusted aides Baroness Brady and Tim Campbell MBE, as some brand new candidates attempted to impress to win the £250,000 investment.
Now, following tense 12 episodes, the 2024 winner has finally been revealed! Here's your ultimate guide to The Apprentice series 18.
Who won The Apprentice?
During the final on Thursday 18th April, finalists Rachel Woolford and Phil Turner created marketing campaigns and digital billboards for their businesses, with the help of their former candidates.
It was Rachel who won the show, with Lord Sugar investing £250,000 into her North Studio fitness business in the north of England.
What is prize for winning The Apprentice?
The winner of the show becomes Lord Sugar's business partner, landing a £250,000 investment into their business idea.
When was the final of The Apprentice?
With the infamous interview episode airing on Thursday 11th April, The Apprentice final aired on Thursday 18th April at 9pm.
Who was in the final?
Pie company owner Phil Turner and and fitness entrepreneur Rachel Woolford made it into this year's final, after triumphing over Dr. Paul Midha, Flo Edwards and Tre Lowe during the gruelling interview stage.
After seeing the results, not everybody was happy, with many thinking Dr Paul should have been in the final.
One wrote: 'Paul was the real winner here. Best business out of the bunch by far and rejected Lord sugars offer because he knows he will flourish more without it'. (sic)
Another fan added: 'Phil made it to the final…utter joke.. lost every challenge until last week', with another writing: 'Talk about an anti-climax picking the two for the final'. (sic)
When did The Apprentice start?
Despite The Apprentice usually hitting our screens in early January, the 2024 series was delayed by bosses to accommodate for the second series of reality show The Traitors.
The Traitors kicked off on Wednesday 3rd January, and run until Friday 26th January.
The Apprentice finally started on Thursday 1st February!
What channel is The Apprentice on?
Just like past years, the 2024 series aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
All episodes are available now on BBC iPlayer.
Where is The Apprentice filmed?
The majority of filming for The Apprentice took place in London, but the candidates did often travel both around the UK and across the world for tasks throughout the series.
For series 18, the candidates traveled to Budapest and Jersey for tasks.
Who are the candidates on The Apprentice?
The 2024 candidates were announced on Tuesday 23rd January.
Phil Turner - FINALIST
Occupation: Owner, Pie Company
From: Bognor Regis
He said: "You don't grow a multi-million-pound business by being a pushover."
Rachel Woolford - FINALIST
Occupation: Boutique Fitness Studio Owner
From: Leeds
She said: "I have no doubt that starting up during Covid made me a tougher person all round."
Dr. Paul Midha - FIRED
Occupation: Owner, Dental Group
From: Leeds
He said: "I am enthusiastic about learning from one of the UK's most successful."
Flo Edwards - FIRED
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
From: London
She said: "My warning to the other candidates? Don't underestimate me. I'm here to win."
Tre Lowe - FIRED
Occupation: Music & Wellness Entrepreneur
From: London
He said: "I am going to change the world and create a legacy that reverberates through time."
Foluso Falade - FIRED
Occupation: Project Manager
From: Manchester
She said: "Money doesn't move me, but making a difference does."
Steve Darken - FIRED
Occupation: Management Consultant
From: London
He said: "Don't judge me by my suit and tie – I'm not just another corporate!"
Raj Chohan - FIRED
Occupation: Mortgage Broker
From: Leamington Spa
She said: "I want to be a multi-millionaire by 50!"
Maura Rath - FIRED
Occupation: Owner, Yoga Company
From: Wexford
She said: "The success of my business is measured by the joy and health it brings people."
Noor Bouziane - FIRED
Occupation: Owner, Jewellery Company
From: Liverpool
She said: "I have competitiveness in my blood. I will go to any length to win this process."
Virdi Singh Mazaria - FIRED
Occupation: Music Producer
From: Leicester
He said: "DJ. Host. MC. The other candidates are just extras on my journey to the top."
Sam Saadet - FIRED
Occupation: Pre and Post Natal Fitness Coach
From: Essex
She said: "I have a business that truly helps others."
Onyeka Nweze - FIRED
Occupation: Chartered Company Secretary
From: London
She said: "My business is going to be making 10 million within the first 5 years."
Jack Davies - FIRED
Occupation: Recruitment Director
From: Bristol
He said: "Anything I put my mind to, I succeed in."
Amina Khan - FIRED
Occupation: Pharmacist and Business Owner
From: Ilford
She said: "I am one of the hardest working women I know. There is no one else like me."
Dr Asif Munaf - FIRED
Occupation: Owner, Wellness Brand
From: Sheffield
He said: "I've got an extremely high IQ. I've got an extremely high bench press. And to top it off, I'm quite good on the eyes."
Paul Bowen - FIRED
Occupation: Director, Pie Company
From: Lancashire
He said: "I could make Lord Sugar the Lord of the Pies."
Oliver Medforth - FIRED
Occupation: Sales Executive
From: Yorkshire
He said: "I am a selling machine."
Who was fired?
Week One: Oliver Medforth
Week Two: Paul Bowen
Week Three: Dr Asif Munaf
Week Four: Amina Khan and Jack Davies
Week Five: Onyeka Nweze
Week Six: Sam Saadet
Week Seven: Virdi Singh Mazaria
Week Eight: Noor Bouziane
Week Nine: Maura Rath and Raj Chohan
Week Ten: Foluso Falade and Steve Darken
Week Eleven: Flo Edwards, Tre Lowe and Dr. Paul Midha
What were the challenges on The Apprentice?
During the first episode, the candidates were split into teams and asked to organise and host a luxury getaway day for corporate clients in the Scottish Highlands.
In the second episode the hopefuls had to make and sell mini cheesecakes to both the public and a corporate client.
Other tasks throughout the series included a tourism challenge in Budapest, discount buying in Jersey, creating a new cereal for children, and of course, the annual TV shopping channel task.
Who are Lord Sugar's aides?
Both Baroness Brady and former winner Tim Campbell MBE once again helped Lord Sugar throughout the process. The pair were split up with each team, observing their every move and reporting back to Lord Sugar ahead of the boardroom.
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.
Can I apply for The Apprentice?
Applications for series 18 actually closed back in February 2023.
Although applications for series 19 were open earlier this year, they are also now closed.
Who won The Apprentice in 2023?
After an all-female final in March 2023, it was Marnie Swindells who was hired as Lord Sugar's next business partner, winning a £250,000 investment.
Check out the most successful winners of The Apprentice below:
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
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