The Apprentice

Under the scrutiny of Karren Brady and Claude Littner, the candidates are tasked with tackling their first challenge abroad. The teams fly to Valletta in Malta, for a day-long shopping spree. The challenge is to bag nine Maltese items for the lowest possible prices before reuniting at the airport at 7pm. One team quickly hits the road, but they are clearly on the wrong track. On the other team, fiery personality clashes over negotiations quickly rock the boat.

Lord Sugar summons the candidates to the House of Illustration, the UK's only gallery dedicated to graphic art. On arrival, the teams are greeted by their business superhero as they have never seen him before. Via augmented-reality technology, Lord Sugar reveals that the candidates are to create a brand new comic aimed at eight- to 12-year-olds. They need to invent a new comic name, main character and original story as well as design a dynamic front cover using cutting-edge AR. With comics printed overnight, they need to pitch to leading industry figures to secure orders. The task balances creative flair with productive pitching, and the team that forgets either could face a graphic showdown in the boardroom.

Lord Sugar summons the candidates to an 18th-century tidal mill in the heart of London's East End for their third task. The candidates are challenged to manufacture and sell upmarket doughnuts to both a corporate client and the public. One half of each team researches flavours, while the rest set out to bag a bespoke order from a corporate client. For one team, a decision to add spice turns up the heat, while on the other, using teabags causes tension. In the kitchen, a strategy to prioritise volume over quality control results in doughnut chaos, while the rival team face a lack of direction and a tricky corporate order.

The candidates are summoned to London's Royal Albert Hall, where Lord Sugar sets them the challenge of selling at one of the world's largest bodybuilding expos. Based at the NEC in Birmingham, the teams must tempt bodybuilders to part with their cash in exchange for high-end products and services aimed at fitness fans. With all candidates under pressure to get sales, it's a frantic fight to the finish as the teams muscle in on any last-minute action.

The candidates congregate at London's Adelphi Theatre, home to hit musical Kinky Boots. Hot on their heels is Lord Sugar with a challenge for them to put their best foot forward in the world of ladies' shoe design. Candidates must create and market a brand new shoe, along with putting together an event to launch and sell their product to major industry players.

The candidates are summoned to London City Airport, where Lord Sugar sets them the task of devising a marketing campaign for a brand new budget airline. They need to come up with a distinctive brand, make a 30-second TV advert and design a uniform that flies the flag for their new airline.

Lord Sugar summons the candidates to Crossrail's leafy roof garden, nestled above the new Elizabeth Line station in Canary Wharf, where he sets them a gardening task. The teams must set up their own urban gardening business, carrying out commercial and domestic jobs across London. On day one, both PM teams visit corporate clients to pitch a plan and secure a price for a large rooftop renovation.

Lord Sugar instructs the candidates to head north to Scotland, meeting at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, where they are tasked with becoming art dealers, selecting a contemporary artist's work to sell at their very own gallery event. To top up takings, teams must also make merchandise adorned with their chosen artist's work. The team that generates the most money from art commission and merchandise sales are the winners.

Lord Sugar summons the remaining candidates to TV Centre in west London, the iconic former headquarters of the BBC. On arrival, the teams are tasked with their most pressurised challenge yet. In just ten hours they will be selling live to the nation on one of Britain's leading TV shopping channels. Teams must tune in to the best products to sell, as well as direct a promo to boost sales of one of their items. The team that generates the most sales will win.

Lord Sugar pays the six remaining candidates a flying visit, challenging them to cash in on the lucrative Christmas market.

An in-depth look at the final five candadiates, featuring interviews from family, friends and loved ones, as well as Lord Sugar's trusted aides Baroness Brady and Claude Littner.

The final five candidates face the scrutiny of Lord Sugar's most trusted advisors, who are primed to put each of their business plans under the microscope.

Lord Sugar looks back at the candidates who fell before the final hurdle and the tasks that took them to the brink, with the help of some previously unseen boardroom moments.