The two teams will need to track down nine specific items and the group that manages to secure them for the lowest price will win the task – but which trio will end up on the firing line?
We already know that Denisha Kaur Bharj will be a project manager this week after Lord Sugar told her to step up in the boardroom last week and while Gregory was the candidate to permanently wheel his suitcase away from the show, he recently told RadioTimes.com in an exclusive interview that it should have been Reece Donnelly instead.
“Reece came in and he had a lot of experience with that particular task. So, a lot of responsibility lies with him,” Gregory said in the interview. “But on the other hand, as I say, the characters, the cartoon, the pitch – these are all factors which, unfortunately, we just didn’t match up to.
He continued: “I mean, the performance of the other team was a lot better than ours. So it’s difficult to place responsibility on one shoulders, but certainly the team leader does hold a lot of responsibility.”
Ahead of episode 4, here’s everything you need to know about The Apprentice candidates 2023 and who’s been fired so far.
The Apprentice candidates 2023
The full line-up for The Apprentice is as follows:
Avi Sharma
Avi Sharma in The Apprentice season 17. BBC
Job: city bankers
From: London
The youngest candidate in season 17, Avi describes himself as an “optimistic” entrepreneur, who believes that Lord Sugar’s investment will get him out of the “rat race” of city banking.
BradleyJohnson
Bradley Johnson in The Apprentice season 17. BBC
Job: Director, Construction Company
From: North Yorkshire
Self-made businessman Bradley prides himself on his determination and work ethic.
“I have a business plan that will see us turn over seven figures after three years and who knows where else that could take us,” he says.
Daniel Donovan
The Apprentice candidate Dani Donovan. BBC
Job: Owner of a hair salon
From: Hertfordshire
Dani wants to inspire would-be business owners. She started her business as a teenager and is now doing “something she loves” for a living.
“I think I’m a different kind of business owner, someone who is a lot more relatable to people,” she says.
Denisha Kaur Bharj
The Apprentice candidate Denisha Kaur Bharj BBC
Job: financial controllers
From: Leicestershire
Financial controller Denisha has managed to overcome professional and personal tests, and now hopes to use her determination and work ethic to secure investment from Lord Sugar.
“I want to build an empire with my first step being business partners with Lord Sugar. I want to be mentored by the best, to be the best,” she says.
Joseph Phillips
The Apprentice candidate Joseph Phillips. BBC
Job: Safari Guide, South Africa
From: Worcestershire
With a degree in zoology, Joseph is both a safari guide in South Africa and a businessman.
“If Lord Sugar wants to invest in a business to help save the ocean, one lip balm at a time, then I’m his guy,” he says.
Mark Moseley
The Apprentice candidate Mark Moseley. BBC
Job: Owner, Pest Control Company
From: London
Mark is a former soldier who has worked all over the world in remote and hostile environments, so thinks he should be more than equipped to handle the boardroom.
He says: “People like confidence, people buy into that. And that’s why people buy into me.”
Marnie Swindells
The Apprentice candidate Marnie Swindells. BBC
Job: Court Advocate
From: London
A gold medal-winning boxer and imaginative businesswoman, Marnie is ready to face off against her fellow candidates in the boardroom.
She says: “With my experience in the boxing industry and Lord Sugar’s experience in business, I think that together we would be a winning combination.”
Megan Hornby
The Apprentice candidate Megan Hornby. BBC
Job: Owner, Sweet Shop & Cafe
From: East Yorkshire
Megan believes she has found success by identifying a gap in the market and running with it.
“I will always give 100 percent the truth, even if it’s hard to hear,” she says.
Reece Donnelly
The Apprentice candidate Reece Donnelly. BBC
Job: Owner, Theater School
From: Glasgow
Set on being the first Scottish candidate to secure Lord Sugar’s investment, Reece is the marketing savvy owner of a performing arts school.
“I’m going to be turning over a million pounds before I’m 30,” he says.
Rochelle Anthony
The Apprentice candidate Rochelle Anthony. BBC
Job: Owner, Hair Salon & Academy
From: Bedfordshire
Salon owner Rochelle prides herself on her great intuition.
“I’m always being compared to the Kim Kardashian of the business world because I’m doing business with a hint of glam,” she says.
Shazia Hussain
The Apprentice candidate Shazia Hussain. BBC
Job: Technology recruiters
From: London
Shazia champions a varied representation of diverse women in the world of business.
But when it comes to making friends on the BBC One show, she says: “I don’t need any friends in business. I’m here to win this.”
Simba Rwambiwa
The Apprentice candidate Simba Rwambiwa BBC
Job: Senior Sales Representative
From: Birmingham
A self-confessed “perfectionist”, Simba is more than ready to challenge the status quo of the business world.
“If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you,” he says.
Sohail Chowdhary
The Apprentice candidate Sohail Chowdhary BBC
Job: Owner, Martial Arts School
From: southampton
Martial Arts Instructor Sohail has a warning for the other candidates: “I am calm and collected, but if they do come at me? I will bite and I will sting, and I will leave my mark,” he says.
Victoria Goulbourne
The Apprentice candidate Victoria Goulbourne BBC
Job: Owner, Online Sweet Business
From: Merseyside
Former flight attendant Victoria started her online sweet business during lockdown, which has since become a social media success.
“I know what consumers want. I’ve traveled all over the world and am not afraid to take on a challenge,” she says.
Former Apprentice 2023 candidates
Emma Browne – Fired in Week 1
The Apprentice candidate Emma Browne. BBC
Job: Senior Account Executive
From: County Kildare
Laser-focused on making her unique business idea a resounding success, Emma “will do anything to succeed”.
“I am disgustingly competitive. I will go to any lengths to win this investment,” she says.
Unfortunately, she was the first candidate to depart from the show after the girls’ team lost the first task. The other girls argued that Emma had been disruptive during the task, and it was later revealed that she’d be going home.
Shannon Martin—Quit in Week 2
The Apprentice candidate Shannon Martin. BBC
Job: Owner, Bridal Boutique
From: West Yorkshire
Shannon is hoping to be the first business partner to bring Lord Sugar into the lucrative bridal industry.
“Lord Sugar needs to be my next business partner, so I can make him millions,” she says.
Kevin D’Arcy – Fired in Week 2
The Apprentice candidate Kevin D’Arcy. BBC
Job: Accountant
From: Dublin
Kevin started his water sports equipment business during lockdown, whilst working in his job in the financial services. He hopes to expand it with the help of Lord Sugar.
“I have commercial awareness and the drive and determination to succeed,” he says.
Gregory Ebbs – Fired in Week 3
The Apprentice candidate Gregory Ebbs. BBC
Job: Owner, Online Antiques Marketplace
From: Shropshire
Local councilor Gregory owns an online antiques business and has previously worked as a professional cannon-firer.
“I would say willingness to try different things and being slightly more unusual than most is a massive plus,” he says.
The Apprentice airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Thursdays at 9pm. If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide or streaming guide, or visit our dedicated entertainment hub.
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