Where are The Apprentice winners now? From dwindling profits to constructive dismissals and major anxiety – a look at the least successful contestants who ditched Lord Sugar’s hefty salaries to go solo [Video]

Since 2005, BBC viewers have watched 18 contestants win The Apprentice and go into business with Lord Sugar. 

And with the new series kicking off last Thursday, the competition will see a new group of ambitious candidates battle it out for the chance to win his £250,000 investment.

The 18 hopefuls vying for the investment this year already boast huge online followings on Instagram and TikTok. 

The show began in 2005 as a groundbreaking series which featured some of the country’s best young business minds hoping to secure a job with the then Sir Alan. However, the programme has slowly turned into a more reality TV-inspired fare, with big personalities gloating irreverently about their skills in business.

The show’s prize changed in 2011 with the candidates now competing for an investment into their business. 

A handful have gone on to build business empires that are bringing in the money, including Tom Pellereau, Ricky …