Start date confirmed for The Celebrity Apprentice
12 celebs will take part
Last updated 3rd Dec 2025
Rumours have been rife for months that BBC bosses were going to bring back the celebrity edition of The Apprentice, and now the news is finally official!
The news was announced on Wednesday 15th October, with bosses confirming Lord Alan Sugar will watch on as 12 famous faces take part in a biscuit making task, with the line-up now unveiled.
When is it on TV?
The series will air across two episodes in December.
Episode one: 9pm on Monday 29th December
Episode two: 9pm on Tuesday 30th December
What will happen?
Dubbed as a 'Christmas treat' ahead of the 20th series in 2026, The Celebrity Apprentice will see a bunch of celebs head to Lapland to take part in a task, in turn helping to raise money for Children in Need.
The BBC say of the special: '12 celebrity candidates will head to reindeer-filled Lapland, where they will face the biggest business challenge yet – to create a magical festive biscuit.
'The celebrities will then have to pitch their Christmas gingerbread biscuits to the biggest UK retailers, who will then, for the first time in the show’s history, sell the biscuits in stores across the UK - with a percentage of profits going to BBC Children in Need. The celebrities' biscuits will hit the supermarket shelves in time for Christmas.
'Packed with festive cheer and celebrity sparkle, the show promises unforgettable moments as the celebrity candidates go on a heartwarming mission, with viewers able to get involved for the first time, through purchasing real life products to help raise money for a great cause.'
Which celebs are taking part?
12 celebs were unveiled on Wednesday 5th November, including Big Brother host AJ Odudu, former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, and JLS singer JB Gill.
See the full line-up below:
AJ Odudu - TV presenter
Angela Scanlon - Broadcaster & Podcaster
Charlie Hedges - Radio DJ
Eddie Kadi - Comedian
Jake Wood - Actor
JB Gill - Singer & TV presenter
Kadeena Cox - Paralympic athlete
Matt Morsia - Gladiators star
Rob Rinder - Barrister & TV presenter
Sarah Hadland - Actress
Shazia Mirza - Comedian
Tom Skinner - Businessman & TV personality
Is there a trailer?
Yes! The trailer was released on Saturday 8th November, alongside the caption: 'Two teams of celebs make festive biscuits to sell to the public… which creation will get a ’ho ho no’ from Lord Sugar? 🎅'.
Watch the trailer below:
Is Lord Sugar on the show?
He is! As ever, Lord Alan Sugar will be keeping a watchful eye on the candidates, whilst his advisors Baroness Brady and Mike Soutar head over to Lapland. Mike is filling in for usual advisor Tim Campbell, who was unable to attend the filming dates for the celebrity special.
Paul Broadbent, Director of Programmes at Naked, adds: “We are delighted to announce The Celebrity Apprentice: Christmas Specials. Not only will the two special episodes be immensely entertaining, but the biscuits made and sold in the lead up to the show airing will be raising vital funds for BBC Children in Need – it’s a win win. The Apprentice has always been the ultimate test of business acumen and resilience. Now, with well-known faces stepping up to the challenge, we can’t wait to see how they fare under pressure.”
How many episodes?
The celebrity special will be made up of two episodes.
What channel is it on?
It will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC says: “Viewers can look forward to the celebrity candidates facing the ultimate festive challenge of creating their own biscuits in aid of BBC Children in Need with plenty of seasonal surprises along the way too before they face Lord Sugar in the boardroom who will decide who has been naughty and who has been nice!”
Check out which TV shows we can't wait for the return of:
Stranger Things
Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production - and at the 2025 Tudum event, confirmed that the series will be released in three parts. Volume 1 landed in the UK on 27th November, followed by Volume 2 on 26th December and the final ever episode on 1st January 2026.
The Traitors
Series four of The Traitors will begin at 8pm on 1st January 2026! A fifth series has also now been confirmed, as well as a second celebrity edition.
Red Eye
ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station's biggest shows in 2024, so it's no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming started in March 2025, with Martin Compston joining the cast, and now we know it will begin on 1st January 2026.
Emily In Paris
That's right, after things got pretty interesting for Emily Cooper as we saw her set up camp in Rome, starring actress Lily Collins answered our prayers as she confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way - hitting Netflix on Thursday 18th December.
Ted Lasso
Following the end of series three in 2023, fans were crying out for a fourth series of comedy show Ted Lasso! On Friday 14th March, main actor Jason Sudeikis confirmed the exciting news, revealing it was in early production! There's no release date just yet.
Hijack
Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! It's now been revealed that series two will begin on 14th January 2026!
Vigil
Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie reprising their roles as DCI Amy Silva and DI Kirsten Longacre in BBC drama Vigil. With filming now taking place in Scotland. fans could see series three land in early 2026.
The Day of the Jackal
Series one of thriller The Day of the Jackal has broken viewing records for Sky Atlantic, so there's no surprise that bosses were quick to renew the show for a second series, before the first was even over! Although there's no air date just yet, filming is expected to take place in 2025.
Line of Duty
Now that the BBC have confirmed there's going to be a seventh series of award-winning crime drama Line of Duty, fans are counting down the months! Filming is due to begin in Spring 2026, so we could expect it to land in the second half of 2026.
After The Flood
Actress Sophie Rundle played the role of Joanna Marshall in series one of ITV/STV drama After The Flood. The show was so popular it was immediately renewed for a second series, with Alun Armstrong, Jill Halfpenny, Ian Puleston-Davies and Matthew McNulty joining the cast. Filming for series two started in March 2025, so we suspect it could arrive later this year.
Amandaland
Following the first series of Motherland spin-off show Amandaland, BBC bosses were quick to renew comedy series Amandaland for a second series. Lucy Punch will return as Amanda, alongside Joanna Lumley and Philippa Dunne. Filming for series two started in October 2025, with bosses also announcing a Christmas special!
Unforgotten
After series six aired in early 2025, ITV/STV bosses were quick to recommission crime drama Unforgotten for a seventh series, with Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan set to return. There's no official start date just yet, but we imagine it will be early 2026.
Bridgerton
On the same day bosses announced the show had been renewed for a fifth and sixth series, Netflix also confirmed the hugely-antipcated fourth series would land in 2026. Part one will land on 29th January 2026, with part two dropping on 26th February 2026.
This City Is Ours
Following the first series which aired in 2025, This City Is Ours has been renewed for a second series, with filming taking place now! Julie Graham, James Nelson-Joyce and Jack McMullen will all return. There's no start date just yet, but we imagine it will be sometime in 2026.
The Masked Singer
Bonkers entertainment show The Masked Singer UK has officially been renewed for another season, due to air in early 2026.
The Night Agent
After series two dropped on Netflix in January, bosses were quick to confirm The Night Agent would return for a third instalment, with Gabriel Basso as FBI agent Peter Sutherland. Production for series three started in February 2025, so it could land in early 2026.
At Home With The Furys
Following the popular first series back in 2023, Netflix bosses confirmed a second series of At Home With The Furys in May 2025. Filming with Tyson Fury, his wife Paris, and the couple's seven children is underway now.
The Bear
Following the fourth series arriving in June 2025, bosses have now confirmed The Bear will return for a fifth series! Although there's been no start date given just yet, the show typically begins every year in June.
Gangs of London
Following the third series earlier in 2025, which ended on a major cliffhanger, Sky have now confirmed Gangs of London has been commissioned for a fourth series. Although there's no start date just yet, filming is due to begin in January 2026.
Peaky Blinders
Much to the shock of everybody, Steven Knight revealed in October 2025 that the show will be returning for two more series! The series will be all about a new generation of the Shelby family, so it's not a given that Cillian Murphy will reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby. It'll be filmed in Digbeth, Birmingham. There's no release date just yet!
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
After the monumental, global success of TV series Game of Thrones, it's no wonder that bosses over at HBO have confirmed yet another spin-off series. Based on the series of novels by George R. R. Martin, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will weave into the storylines we already know from both the original series and House of the Dragon. The show will air on HBO in January 2026.
The Celebrity Traitors
After the record-breaking first series in October-November 2025, BBC bosses have now confirmed The Celebrity Traitors will return for a second series in 2026!
All's Fair
After becoming the biggest Hulu Original scripted series premiere in three years, Ryan Murphy's All's Fair has now been renewed for a second series! Starring Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts and Niecy Nash, production begins in Spring 2026.
Trigger Point
After three hugely-successful series of ITV drama Trigger Point, the show will return for a fourth series in 2026! Although there's no release date just yet, we do know that filming is now complete!
The Celebrity Apprentice will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later month.
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