A STRICTLY Come Dancing star has been revealed as a new presenter of The Apprentice’s spin-off show.
The BBC favourite was also previously a name in the frame for the Strictly hosting gig, to replace The Traitors anchor Claudia Winkleman, 53, and her former show sidekick Tess Daly, 56, ahead of the new series.
Yet Angela Scanlon, 42, has now focussed her attention on Lord Alan Sugar‘s series spin-off, Unfinished Business, after Tom Allen quit the role.
He had been a familiar face on the series, which runs following The Apprentice‘s weekly show, for six years.
Now it has been revealed Angela will take over the reigns in a post uploaded to the programme’s Instagram page.
Alongside a snap of the Irish lass, who was partnered with Strictly’s Carlos Gu in 2023, the caption read: “Angela Scanlon has packed her briefcase and is ready for business – this time, to present The Apprentice: Unfinished Business!
“Alongside featuring industry experts and celebrity fans, The Apprentice: Unfinished Business will also see the first interviews with fired candidates each week, with Angela and the panel dissecting all the drama and behind-the-scenes intel.
“The Apprentice: Unfinished Business, coming soon to #iPlayer and #BBCSounds.”
Fans were quick to react in excitement and one posted: “Love this!! Yes pleaseeeee.”
A second put: “Omg amazing amazing,” and a third wrote: “Thrilled for you!!!!”
One then added: “You’re Hired! Welcome onboard.”
Replying to one fan Angela clarified when it would air and posted: “YES!!! BBC Two straight after the main show xx”
SWITCH UP
Angela’s new gig comes after former presenter Tom’s emotional exit.
Alongside a video, Tom revealed on Instagram this week: “I have decided, after six years, to say goodbye to The Apprentice: You’re Fired.
“I have had so much fun working with the most incredible creative people to make it all happen.
“I was also getting concerned Lord Sugar might realise I know nothing about business – as above video demonstrates”.
The Apprentice winners who have quit
By Conor O’Brien
Since The Apprentice launched in 2005, Lord Alan Sugar has crowned several winners.
In 2011, the prize changed from a job working under Lord Sugar to a £250,000 investment partnership.
While some past winners work with Lord Sugar to this day, other collaborations have long ended.
Here is a look at some of the winners who have quit working with the business giant.
- Tim Campbell: After winning the first series, Tim (who was 26 at the time) secured a position at Lord Sugar’s company Amstrad on a £100,000 salary. After two years, Tim left to start a perfume business – although this was later abandoned. Since 2022, he has been back on The Apprentice as one of Lord Sugar’s aides.
- Lee McQueen: Having won series four in 2008, 30-year-old Lee McQueen was assigned a position at Amscreen. He left the role after two years in July 2010.
- Yasmina Siadatan: Yasmina, who won The Apprentice in 2009, fell pregnant four months into her £100k-a-year role. She worked for Lord Sugar for 12 months but chose not to return after her maternity leave.
- Stella English: 2010 winner Stella English went on to work for Lord Sugar’s Viglen after time on the BBC show. However, she walked out after 13 months of employment when told her contract would not be renewed and claimed she was just an “overpaid lackey”.
- Mark Wright: Australian-born Mark won in 2014 and used the £250,000 investment to found digital marketing agency Climb Online. He parted ways with Lord Sugar in 2022, selling the business for an estimated £10million.
- Joseph Valente: Former plumber Joseph won the BBC show in 2015. However, he and Lord Sugar ultimately ended their working relationship after 18 months.
- Alana Spencer: Alana partnered up with Lord Sugar after winning in 2016. She claimed the top spot with her cake business Ridiculously Rich. The pair worked together for three years – until Alana ultimately bought out Lord Sugar.
- James White: In a one-time situation, James was one of two Apprentice winners in 2017. Three years after he won the show, Lord Sugar left the IT recruitment company, but reportedly let him keep the £250,000 investment.
- Sarah Lynn: Sweets delivery businesswoman Sarah was the other joint winner in 2017. She and Lord Sugar parted ways in September 2022.
- Carina Lepore: After winning The Apprentice in 2019, Lord Sugar put a £250,000 investment in Carina Lepore’s Dough Artisan Bakehouse business. However, the pair ended their partnership in 2023.
Paying tribute to his co-stars, Tom went on to say: “Thank you @lord_sugar, @karren_brady_official, @timcampbell_mbe for all their support and encouragement at every step.
“And also thank you to each @apprenticeuk candidate and guest panelist who joined me in the studio.
“Exciting things are coming up for the show, and as for me, I shall be embarking on new voyages very soon…”
Tom‘s co-stars then flocked to the comments to thank him and to wish him well with his future endeavours.
STRICTLY GIG?
Previously, all the stars in line to replace Tess and Claudia came to light.
We then exclusively told how Angela is part of a “golden ten” selection of presenters chosen by Strictly bosses to undergo chemistry tests.
A source told us at the time: “Replacing Claudia and Tess is a mammoth task but the BBC have whittled down the talent to ten people.
“As well as Bradley, Alex and Alan (Carr), Rylan Clark, Rob Rinder, Zoe Ball and Holly Willoughby will be at the chemistry day.
“Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond and Angela Scanlon have made the cut too.
“They will go to a studio and be put into different pairs to see who works together best.”
It remains to be seen if Angela will juggle her new Apprentice role with any potential Strictly gig.
