# The Apprentice 2026: Series 20 Boardroom Battles Begin
**London, 5 February 2026** – Lord Sugar has officially returned to BBC One for the landmark 20th series of *The Apprentice*. The premier business reality competition, which first aired in 2005, kicked off its anniversary season with a high-stakes trip to Hong Kong. As the competition enters its second week, the initial field of 20 ambitious candidates has already begun to thin following a ruthless opening boardroom.
## Hong Kong Chaos and Double Firings
The 2026 series commenced on 29 January with a task that Lord Sugar described as one of the “worst starts ever”. Tasked with a challenge in Hong Kong, the candidates struggled with costly errors, leading to an immediate double firing.
Project Manager **Georgina Newton** and fellow candidate **Marcus Donkoh** were the first to be sent home. Critics have noted that while the show celebrates its two-decade milestone, the pressure from Lord Sugar remains as intense as ever, despite some media reviews suggesting the format is becoming “stale”.
## Week 2: Children’s Books and Audiobooks
In tonight’s episode, airing at 9:00 pm on BBC One, the remaining 18 candidates must pivot from international trade to the creative industry. The task requires the teams to design a children’s storybook and produce a matching audiobook. With the memory of last week’s double exit fresh in their minds, the candidates are under immense pressure to prove their commercial viability.
## Key Series Facts: The Apprentice 2026
| Category | Details |
| :— | :— |
| **Series Number** | 20 (Anniversary Series) |
| **Premiere Date** | 29 January 2026 |
| **Host** | Lord Alan Sugar |
| **Advisors** | Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell |
| **Investment Prize** | £250,000 |
| **Starting Candidates** | 20 |
| **Opening Task Location** | Hong Kong |
## Frequently Asked Questions
### Who has been fired from The Apprentice 2026 so far?
As of 5 February 2026, two candidates have been eliminated: Georgina Newton and Marcus Donkoh. Both were fired during the series premiere following the failure of the Hong Kong task.
### What time is The Apprentice on tonight?
The second episode of the series airs tonight, 5 February 2026, at 9:00 pm on BBC One and is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
### How much investment does the winner receive?
The successful candidate will secure a £250,000 business investment from Lord Sugar and enter into a 50/50 partnership with the business tycoon.
### Can I apply for the next series of The Apprentice?
Applications for Series 21, which is scheduled to air in 2027, closed on 23 January 2026. Potential applicants will need to wait for the next recruitment cycle to be announced by the BBC.