The Celebrity Apprentice will return to screens later this year after six years off screen – with Lord Sugar back in the boardroom alongside a series of famous faces.
Among them is Thomas Skinner, who will be returning to screens sooner rather than later, just a month after he crashed out of Strictly Come Dancing.
Thomas, who had been partnered with Amy Dowden, was the first to be axed from the BBC dance show this season amid a cheating scandal which he said have sparked ‘constant abuse’.
The former Apprentice star, 34, admitted to cheating on his wife Sinead with Amy-Lucy O’Rourke just weeks after their wedding in May 2022, claiming the ‘two week fling’ was a ‘moment of madness’ that saw him almost ‘ruin his life’.
In a lengthy rant after his elimination the reality star wrote: ‘I’ve had enough of all this b*****. I can’t do anything right now without someone critising (sic) me. Or Making me do something against my will. It’s b*******.
‘I wish I never done Strictly, l never fitted the bill for that show let’s be honest. And It’s caused me nothing but agg. Constant abuse.’
The Celebrity Apprentice will return to screens later this year after six years off screen – with Lord Sugar back in the boardroom alongside a series of famous faces
Lord Sugar, 78, will partner up with Children In Need ‘s Pudsey the Bear across two hour-long episodes that are set in snowy Lapland
So it will no doubt come as a surprise to many that he’s taking part it another competition series so soon.
Ahead of the BBC One business show celebrating its 20th series next year, a spin-off packed with famous faces over the Christmas period is on the way.
Lord Sugar, 78, will partner up with Children In Need‘s Pudsey the Bear across two hour-long episodes that are set in snowy Lapland.
The twelve celebrity candidates will be tasked with creating a magical festive biscuit, pitching their gingerbread creations to some of the UK’s biggest retailers.
Alongside Tom, Big Brother hostess AJ Odudu fronts the impressive line-up, alongside former JLS singer and The One Show guest presenter JB Gill.
They will be joined by Gladiators’ Legend Matt Morsia, EastEnders actor Jake Wood and broadcaster and podcast star Angela Scanlon.
Radio 1 DJ Charlie Hedges, comedian Eddie Kadi and Paralympic athlete Kadeena Cox will also take to the boardroom in the special episodes.
And actor Sarah Hadland will join comedian Shazia Mirza as the remaining stars to feature.
Tom, 34, took part in the business series back in 2019, making it all the way to week nine.
The special episodes will see the celebrity business wannabes come up with an idea for a new festive biscuit, before pitching to UK retailers.
For the first time in the show’s history, the winning sweet snack will be sold in stores across the UK in the run up to Christmas.
A percentage of the profits made by sales will go to the BBC’s Children In Need.
As part of the special, the celebrity candidates will visit charity project the Chickenshed Theatre Trust to share samples of the biscuits for some no-nonsense feedback.
Presenter Rob Rinder features as part of the star-studded line-up
Gladiators’ Legend Matt Morsia will be out of his tight-fitting BBC costume for the show
Former Apprentice star Tom Skinner will also appear in the series
Lord Sugar said: ‘It’s the first ever time on The Celebrity Apprentice that the public can buy products that were created by the celebrity candidates.
‘It’s added some real pressure to the process. I think the celebs thought they were in for an easy ride, but they were wrong!
‘Raising money for BBC Children in Need is serious business, so the candidates really need to deliver if they want to avoid ending up on my naughty list.’
The new series will see a shake-up of the two advisors that normally sit beside Lord Sugar in the tense boardroom scenes, with Tim Campbell not making an appearance.
The former Apprentice winner, 48, who took home the title in the show’s first ever series back in 2005, will instead be replaced by Mike Soutar.
While Tim was unable to commit to the show due to its filming dates, Mike, 62, will still be joined by show regular Baroness Karen Brady.
Scenes in the two-part special will see the celebrities visit Children In Need funded project the Chickenshed Theatre Trust, where kids will get to taste the biscuits and give their feedback.
The BBC’s head of entertainment commissioning Kalpna Patel-Knight teased of the action: ‘[There will be] seasonal surprises along the way before they face Lord Sugar in the boardroom who will decide who has been naughty and who has been nice!’
EastEnders actor Jake Wood has been revealed as part of the line-up
Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu will battle it out in the boardroom
Former JLS star JB Gill will also feature on the BBC One show
The first celebrity spin-off aired back in 2007 and featured the likes of TV host Piers Morgan, Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman and singer Cheryl.
A second series followed in 2008 for Sport Relief with Gok Wan, Alan Car, Jonathan Ross, Michelle Mone and Patsy Palmer all making an appearance.
It last returned in 2019, as Amanda Holden, Omid Djalili and Rylan Clark.
Ahead of the announcement, producers of the show are said to have teased they had been hoping to sign some big names speaking to The Sun.
A TV insider told the publication: ‘Execs want to get A-list stars involved for this very special version of The Apprentice.
‘Few celebrities have been approached yet as the show is still at the early stages and they want to take their time carefully selecting the right mix for the programme.’
The Celebrity Apprentice: Christmas Specials will air later this year.
