The Celebrity Apprentice cast has been revealed, with TV presenter Gethin Jones, singer Alexandra Burke and Love Island star Toni Laites all set to go head-to-head with Lord Sugar.
In an historic first, the BBC will broadcast the debut full-length series of the programme - six episodes filmed across six weeks - as the celebrities tackle a series of weekly business challenges set by the renowned entrepreneur.
Vying for the opportunity to secure a £100,000 donation for a charity of their choice, each contestant will be eager to demonstrate their business prowess and ultimately be crowned The Celebrity Apprentice winner.
There is yet another shake-up in store for this glittering series - the iconic boardroom will move to a London City skyscraper, offering a striking new backdrop for Lord Sugar's final verdicts.
The full line-up comprises Alexandra Burke, actor Danny Miller, presenter Gethin Jones, dancer and presenter Jordan Banjo, journalist Kay Burley, actress and online personality Maddie Grace Jepson, presenter, podcaster and content creator Max Balegde, Gladiator Sheli McCoy, UK garage legend DJ Spoony, TV and BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson, comedian and writer Laura Smyth and Love Island winner Toni Laites.
Lord Sugar said: "We've not done anything like this before, and it'll be entertaining to see these 12 celebrities being put through six weeks of some brilliant business challenges. But just because they're celebrities, it doesn't mean they're going to get an easy ride, especially when there's £100,000 at stake for their chosen charity."
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC says: "This brand-new full-length series of The Celebrity Apprentice takes everything audiences love about the format and turns the pressure right up. This year's celebrities arrive with strong reputations - but in the boardroom, status counts for nothing.
"They'll be tested on leadership, teamwork and commercial instinct, and only those who can truly deliver will make it through. It's bold, unpredictable and hugely entertaining - and viewers are in for a brilliant ride."
Broadcast details for The Celebrity Apprentice are yet to be confirmed. The announcement follows Karishma Vijay being crowned the winner of the BBC business programme last week after an all-female final, in which she competed for Lord Sugar's highly sought-after investment against Pascha Myhill.
Karishma, from Surrey, described the moment Lord Sugar informed her she had triumphed and would be receiving his £250,000 investment, saying: "I was so blown away, so shocked - but I kept it very cool. Then, I got in my car and I was screaming. It was just insane - I can't believe I've gone and done it after not having watched the show, I feel like that's so cheeky."
Outlining his reasoning on the hugely popular BBC programme, Lord Sugar said: "As always, it was close competition in the final after two outstanding pitches by two brilliant young businesswomen. But Karishma really impressed me throughout the process and has proven why she deserves my investment.
"She's a proper grafter and she's got that entrepreneurial spirit that I always look for. The cosmetics industry is one I know a lot about, and I know our partnership will pave the way for a bright future."
A release date for The Celebrity Apprentice is yet to be announced.
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