With just days to go until The Apprentice returns to BBC One for its landmark 20th season, fans are being warned to expect more than just new faces in the boardroom. While the flagship series itself is undergoing notable changes, including a dramatic opening episode set in Hong Kong and a record-breaking lineup of 20 candidates, it’s the shake-up to its companion show that has really caught viewers’ attention.
Earlier this year, the BBC confirmed that The Apprentice: You’re Fired would not be returning for the anniversary season. The long-running spin-off, previously hosted by Tom Allen, has been replaced by a reimagined format titled The Apprentice: Unfinished Business. The change marks a significant shift in how the post-episode discussion will unfold.
Following Allen’s departure, broadcaster and former Celebrity Apprentice contestant Angela Scanlon has stepped in as host. However, this isn’t just a change of presenter — the entire structure of the show is being refreshed. Reports suggest that one of You’re Fired’s most recognisable elements, the studio audience vote deciding whether a candidate deserved to be fired, has been scrapped altogether.
Instead, Unfinished Business is expected to adopt a format closer to The Traitors: Uncloaked. Each episode will see the freshly fired candidate sit down with Scanlon and a panel of celebrity guests to analyse the task, the boardroom showdown and the strategic missteps that led to their exit. The emphasis will be on deeper discussion, insider insight and behind-the-scenes revelations rather than verdict-style judgement.
According to the BBC, the show will feature the very first interviews with eliminated candidates each week. Alongside Angela Scanlon, the panel will break down the drama of the latest task, offering fans detailed analysis and new context around decisions made both in and out of the boardroom.
Speaking about her new role, Scanlon said she feels more connected to the show than ever. Having previously experienced Lord Sugar’s boardroom first-hand, she described joining the 20th anniversary season as “an absolute treat”. She added that she’s looking forward to sitting down with candidates and celebrity fans to “unpack the drama, make sense of the madness and hopefully walk away with some business advice”.
Paul Broadbent, Director of Programmes at Naked, also explained the thinking behind the revamp. He said the companion show was being reinvented to give loyal fans a fresh way to engage with the series, blending fun, analysis and accessibility across multiple platforms. He also confirmed that the show is designed to be both watched and listened to, expanding its reach beyond traditional TV viewing.
The Apprentice: Unfinished Business will air on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds on Thursday 29th January at 10:05pm, immediately following the main show, offering viewers a new way to dive into the fallout of each week’s boardroom battle.