{"id":2217150,"date":"2025-12-30T22:40:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T22:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2217150"},"modified":"2025-12-30T22:40:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T22:40:22","slug":"the-celebrity-version-of-the-apprentice-might-save-the-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/the-celebrity-version-of-the-apprentice-might-save-the-show\/","title":{"rendered":"The celebrity version of The Apprentice might save the show"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\tCelebrities are shipped off to Lapland to make, market and sell their own Christmassy gingerbread biscuits\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/p>\n

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Over the past 10 years, The Apprentice<\/a> has slowly descended into a parody of itself. The over-confident catchphrases, the impossible, irrelevant tasks, and Lord Alan Sugar\u2019s (clearly pre-written) puns have all worked to make the once serious competition feel a bit silly. So, what has the BBC done? Leaned into the ridiculousness and swapped the civilian candidates for celebrities, of course! <\/p>\n

The first-ever full series of The Celebrity Apprentice is on the way next year, but first up is a two-part Christmas special, all in aid of raising money for Children in Need. The line-up is a mixed bunch, with TV regulars like Big Brother\u2019s AJ Odudu<\/a>, presenter Angela Scanlon<\/a> and lawyer Rob Rinder<\/a> jockeying for attention alongside lesser-known names including comedian Eddie Kadi and Radio 1 DJ Charlie Hedges.<\/p>\n

Most confusing is the presence of former Apprentice candidate Tom Skinner<\/a>, whose presence on Strictly earlier this year caused a stink thanks to his apparent friendship with US Vice President JD Vance. I can\u2019t imagine why BBC bosses think it\u2019s a good idea to invite him back into the boardroom \u2013 and it seems as though Sugar is bewildered too. \u201cWhen did you get celebrity status?\u201d he asks Skinner, who can\u2019t hold back his tears of joy. \u201cThis show changed my life,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

\"\"Sarah Hadland, Legend and Angela Scanlon (Photo: BBC)<\/p>\n

Anyway, the celebs are sent off to a suitably snowy Lapland to create and market their own gingerbread biscuits. The winning team will have their creations on the shelves of real supermarkets over the festive period. With JLS\u2019s JB Gill and Rinder allocated as team leaders (much to the chagrin of Gladiator Legend, who keeps up his self-important persona throughout), it\u2019s off to the kitchen to create their recipes. <\/p>\n

Skinner suggests bubblegum and white pepper flavour for their biscuits, which \u2013 if his team is to be believed \u2013 tastes a lot better than it sounds. Their marketing revolves around the character of Gary the Penguin, dreamt up by a very giggly Legend, Scanlan and actor Sarah Hadland, who can\u2019t help but deadpan to the camera every five seconds. I can\u2019t believe no-one points out that penguins are only found in the South Pole\u2026 but perhaps I\u2019m being too pernickety. <\/p>\n

On the other team, Odudu and Rinder butt heads over their theme. She is determined to go down a \u201cbah humbug\u201d route, but he wants to focus on the more wishy-washy topic of gratefulness. Somehow, they end up with neither \u2013 their gingerbread biscuit is in the shape of Santa\u2019s head, with a vanilla icing beard and a Christmas pudding-flavoured hat. <\/p>\n

\"\"AJ Odudu, Charlie Hedges and Jake Wood (Photo: BBC)<\/p>\n

The celebrities are pitching their products to supermarkets in tomorrow\u2019s concluding episode, after which they\u2019ll face the wrath (and groan-worthy jokes) of Lord Sugar in the boardroom. By the end of this hour, it\u2019s rather impossible to know who will win \u2013 both biscuits are as good (or rather, bad) as each other. <\/p>\n

Celebrity versions of popular programmes can often fall flat \u2013 Celebrity Race Across the World, for example, is far less popular than its normal people version. But the runaway success of The Celebrity Traitors<\/a> has changed that. It turns out when a format encourages celebrities to argue, TV magic can happen. Here, the scenes of Odudu getting frustrated by Rinder\u2019s filibustering are the most watchable \u2013 and a far cry from the friendly teamwork other reality shows might encourage. <\/p>\n

I thought The Apprentice might be on its last legs, but this new iteration breathes giddy, inconsequential fun into the show. After all, it doesn\u2019t matter who wins or who finds themselves on the firing end of Lord Sugar\u2019s finger \u2013 it\u2019s just about raising loads of dosh for charity. Our entertainment is just a happy by-product.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Celebrity Apprentice\u201d continues tomorrow at 9pm on BBC One<\/strong><\/p>\n

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