It has been three long months since the comforting strains of Prokofiev’s Dance of the Knights – the theme music for BBC’s The Apprentice – were last heard on our TV screens. Three long months since our last weekly hour-long dose of bitching, over-inflated egos and unfeasibly stupid business ideas. Three long months since serial inventor – and Michael Sheen lookalike – Tom Pellereau surprisingly defeated runaway favourite Helen Milligan (and also-rans ‘Jedi’ Jim Eastwood and Susan Ma) to win the season seven final. (Although it wasn’t a surprise to me, as I had backed Tom for victory early on. *Smug mode*)
But fear no more. The man with the meanest finger on television – the incomparable Digit of Doom™ – has returned. The Baron of Business, the self-styled Britain’s most belligerent boss, Lord Sugar, returns to our screens to put 12 candidates aged 16-17 through their paces as he once again hunts for a Young Apprentice. (No, I don’t know why they’ve abandoned ‘Junior Apprentice’ either.)
Yes, the Apprentikids™ are back!
As the BBC blurb reliably informs us, it is an education like no other. Chosen from thousands of applicants for their potential to make great TV entrepreneurial spirit, the candidates will compete for a £25,000 fund intended to pay off their impending student debts kick-start a business career. These tycoons of tomorrow come from all over Britain. Some are from council estates, others attend public schools, but they all share one thing in common: a burning passion for business.
Which, in all seriousness, is something to be applauded after the summer riots in which many young people instead found their passion for burning businesses …
In this post, I’ll preview this year’s candidates and next week’s opening task, but first here is a quick reminder of what happened last season.
Previously on Young Apprentice
The inaugural season of Junior Apprentice featured ten candidates battling it out over six tasks ranging from selling cheese and cupcakes to inventing new camping accessories and pitching new products on behalf of designers.
The most memorable candidate was arguably 16-year old Londoner Zoe Plummer, whose sound business instincts were often buried under a caricature veneer of haughtiness and downright arrogance. But the eventual winner was Arjun Rajyagor, whose all-round ability, boundless enthusiasm and attention to detail – foreshadowing Tom Pellereau, he was rarely seen without his calculator to hand – saw him triumph in the final task, in which the candidates had to work as pairs (Arjun with Tim Ankers, Zoe with Kirsty Cleaver) to create a new bottled water brand.
As a demonstration of business acumen, the juniors often put their grown-up counterparts to shame, showing that age and experience aren’t necessarily everything. Another key trend that emerged during the tasks was that every task bar the final one was won by a female project manager. Make of that what you will.
The boys
Ben Fowler
Age: 16.
Lives: Birmingham.
Currently studying for: Business Diploma.
About Ben: Started a gardening business in 2008. Involved in social enterprise projects providing voluntary services to the allotment association. Hopes to help those with learning and behavioural problems study horticulture and agriculture.
He says:
I am an ordinary lad who wants to do the best not just for myself but for everyone.
His role: Like Tim Ankers last year, the token country bumpkin who has been selected for having genuine potential, not because he looks good on TV.
Harry Hitchens
Age: 16.
Lives: Brighton.
Currently studying for: International Baccalaureate.
About Harry: A keen rugby player and scuba diver. Runs his own photography business. Has worked since he was nine, including gardening, selling at car boot sales and magazine delivery. Wishes he had invented the Cat’s Eye. (Don’t we all, though?)
He says:
I aim high. I don’t aim low ever, what are you ever going to gain from that? I aim high and I get there because of that determination, because I’m pretty ruthless in how I get there.
His role: A tall poppy. In the great British tradition, he will be set up as the next hero of British business, only to crash and burn horribly.
Harry Maxwell
Age: 16.
Lives: Oxfordshire.
Currently studying for: Pre-Us in Maths and Further Maths and A Levels in Geography and Economics and the Extended Project.
About Harry: A School prefect, polo enthusiast and water-sports fanatic, as well as being a talented singer and pianist. Inspired by Simon Cowell. (Let’s hope he doesn’t share his taste in high-waisted trousers.) Started his first business when he was ten, selling tickets on the internet. Has already started three successful businesses, encompassing travel, marketing, property and cosmetics.
He says:
In terms of my intellect, self-motivation, confidence, and business instinct for my age, I am unrivalled. I have a pure entrepreneurial gift waiting to be unleashed and harnessed.
His role in the series: The next Richard Branson. Or the next Branston pickle? I’m guessing the latter. Nobody will want to see a posh bloke win, even if he is deserving.
James McCullagh
Age: 17.
Lives: County Derry.
Currently studying for: A Levels in English, Economics, Spanish and Biology.
About James: Describes himself as a risk-taker who follows his gut instinct. Got the joint-highest score in GCSE Economics in Northern Ireland. Feels he is a natural businessman, with a passion for economics. A massive football fan.
He says:
I have integrity, but when winning gets in the way of integrity, integrity goes out the window.
His role:
A cross between Stuart Baggs and ‘Jedi’ Jim Eastwood?
Lewis Roman
Age: 16.
Lives: Merseyside.
Currently studying for: A Levels in World Development, Psychology, Performing Arts and ICT.
About Lewis: Describes himself as ‘confident, charismatic and clever’. Worked as an assistant stylist at a hair salon. A keen shopper and gym buff. Works in the food industry and hopes to change the world of business forever.
He says:
I’m not arrogant or backstabbing, I’m just a really great guy.
His role: The sensitive one who has lots of good ideas but is constantly shouted down by everyone else.
Mahamed Awale
Age: 16.
Lives: London.
Currently studying for: A Levels in Politics, Law, Economics and Psychology.
About Mahamed: A keen inventor and fundraiser who describes himself as ‘competitive and charismatic’. Has already made money buying and selling TV satellites. Inspired by Microsoft and Facebook. The Youth Parliament Representative for his borough, he hopes to bring about ‘monumental change’ using politics and youth outreach schemes.
He says:
I have so many abilities and so many talents. I want to prove what an entrepreneurial person I am.
His role: The ethical one with the social conscience.
The girls
Gbemi Okunlola
Age: 16.
Lives: London.
Currently studying for: A Fashion and Design Advanced BTEC and an A Level in Business Studies.
About Gbemi: An award-winning fashion designer who has already started her own clothing line and is involved in both designing and making the clothes. Lists Louis Vuitton as her inspiration. Describes herself as a ‘diva’.
She says:
If I believe that what I’m saying is right I will argue until my full voice and my full opinion is heard.
Her role: To throw the mother of all diva strops.
Hannah Richards
Age: 16.
Lives: Berkshire.
Currently studying for: A Levels in Government and Politics, History, Economics, Philosophy and Ethics.
About Hannah: Has made money re-selling vintage clothes and creating school leavers’ hoodies. Plays for two football teams. Also enjoys architecture and hopes to get involved in property management.
She says:
I want to show that you can succeed in the business field, without relying on numerous qualifications. The right mind and attitude is ultimately a much more important quality than 12 A*s.
Her role: A level-headed, pragmatic team player.
Haya Al Dlame
Age: 17.
Lives: London.
Currently studying for: A Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Economics, Biology and an Extended Project.
About Haya: Born in Iraq, moved to England with her family at the age of 6. A self-proclaimed bossy-boots who is determined to succeed in business. A keen eBay trader who wishes she was the brains behind MAC cosmetics.
She says:
I have a big ego … I want to be known as Haya Al Dlame, the next deserving winner of Young Apprentice.
Her role: To fail spectacularly within touching distance of the prize, having tried to emulate last season’s Zoe Plummer.
Hayley Forrester
Age: 16.
Lives: Shrewsbury.
Currently studying for: A Levels in Biology, Maths, Business & Economics and ICT.
About Hayley: A former Head Girl, farmer’s daughter and member of Young Farmers. Passionately disagrees with people claiming benefits when they could be working. Inspired by Innocent, and sells free range, organic eggs from her own chickens.
She says:
I wear wellies, and I am not afraid to muck in.
Her role: The organiser and doer – the Young Apprentice equivalent of senior Apprentice runner-up Helen Milligan. Likely to win any lookalike task with her impersonation of Kirsten Dunst.
Lizzie Magee
Age: 16.
Lives: Liverpool.
Currently studying for: A Levels in Economics, History, Politics and General Studies.
About Lizzie: A published author and rounders champion who breeds Jack Russell terriers. First job was collecting glasses in a pub. Now has her own business designing personalised guitar straps. An impatient time freak.
She says:
I’m very, very determined and if I know how to get something I will get it.
Her role: To be the candidate who throws herself head-first into any project, only to fall down for a lack of planning.
Zara Brownless
Age: 16.
Lives: Hertfordshire.
Currently studying for: A Levels in English Literature, Maths, History and Theatre Studies.
About Zara: A former baby model who won a sock design competition when she was seven years old. A film enthusiast inspired by Katherine Bigelow, the first female director to win an Oscar, and currently produces films for charities.
She says:
Dreamers dream; people who achieve wake up, get out there and start doing stuff to make their dreams happen. (What, no field of ponies?)
Her role: The arty, pretentious one. Please, please, please let there be an advertising task. Every season needs a ‘Pants Man’, preferably in the style of The Hurt Locker.
Week one preview: Frozen treats
We kick off with a traditional ‘make-and-sell’ task. The boys are pitted against the girls as Lord Sugar sets the task of making a new range of frozen treats, ice creams, sorbets and frozen yogurts to sell direct to the general public.
Which of the candidates will show themselves to have ice running through their veins, and who will be unable to stand the heat and get out of the kitchen? Someone will get their just desserts as Sugar gives a first airing to his Digit of Doom™ to inform one of the teenagers: “You’re fired!”
Young Apprentice starts on BBC1 on Monday at 9pm, running for eight episodes.
Link: BBC official website, Apprentice season seven final review
Related articles
- Young Apprentice: Lord Alan Sugar unveils 12 new wannabes (mirror.co.uk)
- Lord Sugar attacks youth ‘expectancy culture’ (guardian.co.uk)