"The Apprentice" Is Back For 2023 – Here Are All The Contestants Competing This Year

"I'm the James Bond of the business world".

Oh yesss, it's time for another season of my favourite reality TV show, The Apprentice (British version).

Nine Network

This year marks the seventeenth season of the show, which launched nearly 20 years ago in the UK!

18 candidates will once again embark on the "toughest interview process in Britain" to win a huge 25K investment from Lord Sugar. This series sees the hopefuls do everything from giving tours in Antigua, to selling bao buns on the street!

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

So, from a former boxing gold medallist to a professional cannon-firer to the "Kim Kardashian of the business world", here are the candidates for The Apprentice season 17:

Avi Sharma

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Avi is the youngest candidate in the series. As an optimistic entrepreneur, he believes that Lord Sugar’s investment will get him out of the rat race of city banking.

Occupation: City Banker

From: London

Words of wisdom: "Some say I’m delusional. I prefer the term optimistic."

Bradley Johnson

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Bradley is a self-made businessman. Priding himself on his determination and work ethic, in his own words, his can-do attitude and approach to business is something to be proud of. 

Occupation: Director, Construction Company

From: North Yorkshire

Words of wisdom: "I have a business plan that will see us turn over seven figures after year three and who knows where else that could take us."

Dani Donovan

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Dani wants to inspire would-be business owners, and show everyone that having a passion for what you do is the key to success in business. She started her business as a teenager, and is now doing something she "loves for a living".

Occupation: Owner, Hair Salon 

From: Hertfordshire

Words of wisdom: "I think I’m a different kind of business owner, someone who is a lot more relatable to people."

Denisha Kaur Bharj

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Denisha’s determination and work ethic have allowed her to reach the peak of her potential, overcoming professional and personal tests.

Occupation: Financial Controller

From: Leicestershire 

Words of wisdom: "I want to build an empire with my first step being business partners with Lord Sugar. I want to be mentored by the best, to be the best."

Emma Browne

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Emma is always willing to go the extra mile and show 100% commitment to anything she puts her hand to. Laser focused on making her unique business idea a resounding success, Emma "will do anything to succeed".

Occupation: Senior Account Executive

From: County Kildare 

Words of wisdom: "I am disgustingly competitive. I will go to any lengths to win this investment."

Gregory Ebbs

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Local councillor Gregory owns an online antiques business and has previously worked as a professional cannon-firer. 

Occupation: Owner, Online Antiques Marketplace

From: Shropshire

Words of wisdom: "I would say willingness to try different things and being slightly more unusual than most is a massive plus."

Joseph Phillips

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Joe calls himself the "James Bond of the business world", and has a degree in Zoology to boot!

Occupation: Safari Guide, South Africa

From: Worcestershire 

Words of wisdom: "If Lord Sugar wants to invest in a business to help save the ocean, one lip balm at a time, then I’m his guy."

Kevin D'Arcy

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Kevin started his water sports equipment business during lockdown, whilst working in his job in the financial services. He is looking to expand his business into the UK and is set on securing Lord Sugar's investment.

Occupation: Accountant 

From: Dublin 

Words of wisdom: "I have commercial awareness and the drive and determination to succeed."

Mark Moseley

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Mark is a former soldier who has worked all over the world in remote and hostile environments, so thinks he should be more than equipped to handle the boardroom.

Occupation: Owner, Pest Control Company

From: London 

Words of wisdom: "People like confidence, people buy into that. And that’s why people buy into me."

Marnie Swindells

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

A gold medal-winning boxer and imaginative businesswoman, Marnie is ready to face off against her fellow candidates in the boardroom. 

Occupation: Court Advocate

From: London

Words of wisdom: "With my experience in the boxing industry and Lord Sugar’s experience in business, I think that together we would be a winning combination."

Megan Hornby

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Megan believes she's found success by identifying a gap in the market and running with it. She's proven that she's a hard worker and an innovator, and with Lord Sugar’s investment, believes her business could be nationally recognised.

Occupation: Owner, Sweet Shop & Café

From: East Yorkshire

Words of wisdom: "I will always give one hundred percent the truth, even if it’s hard to hear."

Reece Donnelly

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Set on becoming the first Scottish candidate to secure Lord Sugar’s investment, Reece is the marketing savvy owner of a performing arts school. 

Occupation: Owner, Theatre School

From: Glasgow

Words of wisdom: "I’m going to be turning over a million pounds before I’m thirty."

Rochelle Anthony

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Salon owner Rochelle prides herself on her great intuition, and describes herself as a tenacious, fierce, and determined businesswoman.

Occupation: Owner, Hair Salon & Academy

From: Bedfordshire

Words of wisdom: "I’m always being compared to the Kim Kardashian of the business world because I’m doing business with a hint of glam."

Shannon Martin

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Shannon is hoping to be the first business partner to bring Lord Sugar into the lucrative bridal industry.

Occupation: Owner, Bridal Boutique

From: West Yorkshire 

Words of wisdom: "Lord Sugar needs to be my next business partner, so I can make him millions."

Shazia Hussain

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Shazia champions a varied representation of diverse women in the world of business. She believes her USP is her ADHD, which helps her look at things differently and process information much faster than others.

Occupation: Technology Recruiter

From: London

Words of wisdom: "I don’t need any friends in business. I am here to win this."

Simba Rwambiwa

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Simba is a self-confessed perfectionist who's more than ready to challenge the status quo of the business world.

Occupation: Senior Sales Representative

From: Birmingham 

Words of wisdom: "If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you."

Sohail Chowdhary

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Being raised in a council house means Sohail has had to fight hard to achieve the comfortable life he leads today. As a martial arts Instructor, he thinks the other candidates should stay wary, and also hopes to teach Lord Sugar how to kick ass for free!

Occupation: Owner, Martial Arts School

From: Southampton 

Words of wisdom: "I'm calm and collected, but if they do come at me, I will bite and I will sting, and I will leave my mark."

Victoria Goulbourne

BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston

Former flight attendant Victoria started her online sweet business during lockdown, which has since become a social media success.

Occupation: Owner, Online Sweet Business

From: Merseyside 

Words of wisdom: "I know what consumers want. I’ve travelled all over the world and am not afraid to take on a challenge."

The Apprentice returns to UK screens this Thursday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Will you be watching? Let us know in the comments!