‘The Apprentice’ back for a new series on BBC1

The Apprentice is back on BBC1 for a new series and this year’s contestants include a Recruitment Manager/Professional Wrestler who claims to be “the reflection of perfection”, a 20 yr old Greek Restaurant owner and Manchester’s Azhar Siddique, who has two pet sharks.

This year Lord Sugar is quoted saying “This is not about a job anymore and I’m not looking for a friend. If I wanted a friend I’d get a dog.”

The 16 contestants are;

Bilyana Apostolova – Bulgarian born Risk Analyst living and working in London.

Jade Nash – A former 18 – 30 club rep, now a Business Development Manager who enjoys watching drag racing.

Gabrielle Omar – London Architect who says “when it comes to business I can be like a lion and will roar my way to the top”.

Jenna Whittingham – Beauty salon owner and showjumper.

Laura Hogg – Bridal shop owner who once ice skated with Torvill and Dean.

Katie Wright – Self-professed “blonde assassin” and football mad from London.

Nick Holzherr – A technology entrepreneur who lived in Switzerland for seven years as a child and enjoys squash and snowboarding.

Duane Bryan – Founder of a drinks distribution company and have-a-go hero; he once chased and caught a driver attempting to flee the scene of a crash!

Adam Corbelly – A Derbyshire fruit and veg wholesaler.

Azhar Siddique – The pet shark owning Mancunian and founder of a catering and refrigeration company.

Stephen Brady – Multi-lingual National Sales Manager who once played in the FA Cup as a semi-professional footballer.

Tom Gearing – Egotistical director of a fine wines company.

Ricky Martin – Recruitment Manager by day, professional wrestler in the evenings and weekends.

Michael Copp – MD of a kitchen and bedroom retailer from London.

In the first week the candidates are divided into the usual two teams, girls versus boys, and are given £500 of materials to start up their own print business.

The Apprentice returns to BBC1 Wednesday 21st March.