The Apprentice (British TV series) series 1

The Apprentice
Series 1
Promo group shot of Alan Sugar, Nick Hewer, and Margaret Mountford standing before the candidates for series 1
Starring
No. of episodes14
Release
Original networkBBC Two
Original release16 February (2005-02-16) –
4 May 2005 (2005-05-04)
Series chronology

The first series of British reality television series The Apprentice was broadcast on BBC Two, from 16 February to 4 May 2005. After securing the rights to creating a British version of the American original, the BBC commissioned a total of twelve episodes, a standard that would be used for consecutive series. It is the only series not to feature a boardroom scene after a candidate quit the programme following a task. Alongside the twelve episodes that were produced, two specials were also created and aired – "The Story So Far" on 2 April, bringing viewers up to speed on the series; and "You're Hired!" on 7 May, airing after the series finale. The format of the latter would be later adapted for use in The Apprentice: You're Fired, beginning the following year.

Fourteen candidates took part in the first series, with Tim Campbell eventually winning. Excluding specials, the series averaged roughly around 2.5 million viewers during its broadcast.

Series overview

Work on the series began in Autumn 2004, after the BBC successfully secured the rights to create a British version of the American original. Soon after, Alan Sugar signed on to spearhead the new programme. Involved in development of the format, Sugar worked with the production staff to determine the types of tasks candidates would complete. Two of Sugar's close business associates, Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford were also announced to be joining the programme as his aides.

After the preliminary application stages, fourteen candidates were selected to participate and consisted of a balanced mix of male and female participants. As part of their first task, the candidates formed teams, with the women naming theirs First Forte, while the men named their team Impact. This series is unique for being the only series to date in the show's history not to feature an extensive boardroom scene after a candidate chose to leave the programme following a task (as seen in episode 4), and to feature a charity-based challenge with no proper reward for the winning team. In addition, the series finale only had six "fired" candidates return to provide assistance to the series' two finalists. Episodes aired on Wednesday evenings, post-watershed, as final edits of episodes often contained explicit language, especially during heated confrontations between candidates.

Of those who took part, Tim Campbell would become the eventual winner of the series,[1] and go on to become Project Director of Amstrad's new Health and Beauty division, with his time there documented in a special episode prior to the second series, entitled "Tim in the Firing Line". In 2006, Campbell would leave the company to pursue other interests,[2] and would go on to found the Bright Ideas Trust in 2008, offering funding and support for young people wishing to start their own business.[3][4]

Candidates

Candidate Background Age Result
Tim Campbell Transport Manager 26 Winner
Saira Khan Sales Manager 34 Runner-up
Paul Torrisi Property Developer 34 Fired after Interviews stage
James Max Investment Banker 34
Miriam Staley Hotel Manager 26 Fired after tenth task
Raj Dhonota Internet Entrepreneur 30 Fired after ninth task
Ben Leary Headhunter 29 Fired after eighth task
Sebastian Schrimpff Financial Analyst 29 Fired after seventh task
Rachel Groves Charity Fundraiser 32 Fired after sixth task
Matthew Palmer Mature Student 39 Fired after fifth task
Adele Lock Retail Manager 29 Quit after fourth task
Miranda Rose Estate Agent 26 Fired after third task
Lindsay Bogaard Communications Manager 35 Fired after second task
Adenike Ogundoyin Restaurant Manager 30 Fired after first task

Performance chart

Candidate Task Number
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Tim WIN IN LOSS LOSE IN IN IN LOSS IN BR IN HIRED
Saira LOSE LOSS IN IN LOSS BR LOSS IN LOSE IN IN RUNNER-UP
Paul IN IN IN IN BR LOSE IN BR WIN BR FIRED
James IN IN IN WIN IN IN LOSE IN BR WIN FIRED
Miriam LOSS BR LOSS LOSS IN WIN IN BR IN FIRED
Raj IN WIN IN IN LOSS LOSS BR WIN FIRED
Ben IN IN BR LOSS IN IN WIN FIRED
Sebastian IN IN LOSS LOSS WIN IN FIRED
Rachel LOSS LOSS IN IN LOSE FIRED
Matthew IN IN WIN IN FIRED
Adele LOSS BR LOSE LEFT
Miranda BR LOSS FIRED
Lindsay LOSS FIRED
Adenike FIRED

Key:

  The candidate won this series of The Apprentice.
  The candidate was the runner-up.
  The candidate won as project manager on his/her team, for this task.
  The candidate lost as project manager on his/her team, for this task.
  The candidate was on the winning team for this task / they passed the Interviews stage.
  The candidate was on the losing team for this task.
  The candidate was brought to the final boardroom for this task.
  The candidate was fired in this task.
  The candidate lost as project manager for this task and was fired.
  The candidate left the process.

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleOriginal release dateUK viewers
(millions) [5]
11"Wilting Blooms"[6]16 February 2005 (2005-02-16)2.02
Sir Alan Sugar begins a search for an apprentice from fourteen candidates, informing them that they will undertake a gruelling selection process consisting of various business challenges, with a six-figure job being offered to the winning candidate. For their first task, the candidates must sell flowers for money as teams. The men opt for conducting door-to-door sales, focusing on a solid sales strategy throughout the task despite a slow start. The women commit to selling at a market before making sales on the move, but struggle from in-fighting and poorly-skilled salespeople. In the boardroom, the men prove themselves with their sales figures, leaving the women's team faced with discussing their performance on the task. Of the final three, Adenike Ogundoyin becomes the first person to be fired on the show, due to the detrimental effect she had on her team's sales strategy.
22"Child's Play"[7]23 February 2005 (2005-02-23)N/A
Teams put their creative skills to the test when Sir Alan tasks them with creating a brand new toy for the 5–9 age group, with each pitching their designs to industry experts. The men focus on a safe, low-key concept involving electronic trading cards, receiving praise for the concept despite a shaky pitch strategy. The women find themselves dealing with a problematic leader, who forces them to take on a risky concept involving semaphore-designed cards, despite their focus group opting for the more exciting idea of a transforming robot; the semaphore game was later panned by industry experts. The men leave the boardroom victorious, while project manager for the women, Lindsay Bogaard, is fired for her poor decision-making on the task.
33"Shop Till You Drop"[8]2 March 2005 (2005-03-02)2.17
On their next task, Sir Alan assigns both teams to seek out ten niche items from a prepared shopping list, with each team seeking the best bargains. First Forte manage to secure all their items, yet face problems from a difficult leader who clashes with the other members. Impact secure all but one item due to an indecisive leader, but offset this by making a surprising bargain on one item. In the boardroom, Impact prove themselves the better negotiators thanks to the key purchase they made, leaving First Forte to come under scrutiny for their performance. Of the final three, Miranda Rose is fired for the severe criticism towards her attitude with the team and her management of them.
44"The Harrods Sales"[9]9 March 2005 (2005-03-09)2.35
Given a concession stand to run within Harrods, Sir Alan tasks each team to select items from the store's catalogue, before selling these to the department store's customers. Impact work steadily to achieve sales despite a slow start, thanks to one member donning a costume that attracts young customers. First Forte struggle throughout the task, due to a weak team leader and problematic salespeople, despite managing to improve towards the end. The sales figures soon show that Impact's efforts were more efficient, leaving First Forte to face questions on their execution of the task. Before a final boardroom can be made, Sir Alan is surprised when Adele Lock, who is deemed the worst contributor of the team, opts to leave after being unable to cope with the pressure of the process.
55"Art with a Capital F"[10]16 March 2005 (2005-03-16)2.18
The teams' next task is to represent an artist, selling their artwork to visitors at an exhibition. First Forte secure representation with two artists, managing to sell well despite the artwork they exhibit having a high ticket price. Impact take on representing an artist with reasonably-priced pieces, managing higher sales despite one member causing issues for the team. In the boardroom, First Forte are commended for turning a higher income than Impact. Amongst the losing team, Matthew Palmer is fired for his poor contributions, false accusations against the other team, and for his confrontational personality with other candidates.
66"Advertising Executives"[11]23 March 2005 (2005-03-23)2.80
Sir Alan seeks an advertising campaign for his company's new stereo system, and so requests that the teams create a new branding and pitch for it. First Forte focus on a campaign comparing the product to classical jukeboxes, providing a presentation that is well received. Impact produce a campaign that is poorly made, due to the team struggling to devise their concept and poor contributions from one member, while presenting a poorly-received pitch. In the boardroom, Sir Alan determines that First Forte's campaign was superior to Impact's, so announces them as the task's winners. Within the losing team, Rachel Groves is fired for demonstrating inefficient pitching skills and for contributing the least amongst her team.
77"Apprentice Celebrities"[12]30 March 2005 (2005-03-30)2.82
Sir Alan assigns each team to run their own charity auction, convincing celebrities to donate something for a good cause. Impact secure a wide variety of donations for their auction, maintaining full control throughout the task. First Forte secure fewer donations from the celebrities they approach, with most of these receiving fewer bids, due to misinformation about the history of the items. In the boardroom, Impact win the task by securing the most money, leaving First Forte to face questions on what mistakes they made. Within the losing team, discussion over negotiation skills result in Sebastian Schrimpff being fired for both his underwhelming performance and presence on tasks.
8SP–1"The Story So Far"[13]2 April 2005 (2005-04-02)N/A
As the battle to be Sir Alan's apprentice passes the midway point, this special episode gives a brief recap on what happened over the past seven episodes.
98"Food Fight"[14]6 April 2005 (2005-04-06)2.74
The next task sees each team create goods to sell at a country market. First Forte focus on making jellies, jams and chutneys, using promotions to help shift stock. Impact focus on selling a variety of soups, but overspend on ingredients, arrive late to sell what they make, and fail to sell most of their products. First Forte claim victory with their marketing strategy, leaving Impact to receive an in-depth review of their performance. Within the losing team, Ben Leary is fired for his poor leadership and control over the team, as well as his poor decision-making and judgment.
109"Team News"[15]13 April 2005 (2005-04-13)2.59
The teams are tasked with selling a text messaging service for football match updates, through targeted promotion. First Forte opt for using posters and hiring promotional staff to market their service, but secure fewer subscriptions from this approach. Impact opt for making use of a Jumbotron and professional staff, increasing sales through motivating their employees with an offer of commissions for sales. In the boardroom, Impact win the task with their strategy, leaving First Forte to face scrutiny over their execution of the task. Of the final three, Raj Dhonota is fired over his failure to step up in tasks and his dismal sales skills.
1110"Apprentices on TV"[16]20 April 2005 (2005-04-20)2.40
The teams are tasked with fronting a telesales channel, selecting the products they think will attract the most sales. Impact struggle with selling their choice of products due to constant interruptions by the production sub-team, leaving the presenters receiving mixed advice and instructions. First Forte secure fewer products than they desired, but manage well during their broadcast thanks to a convincing sales pitch. In the boardroom, Impact face criticism over their performance after First Forte clinch the win. Within the losing team, Miriam Staley is fired for her poor management style on the task and demonstrating an unsuitable personality.
1211"Interviews"[17]27 April 2005 (2005-04-27)2.72
After facing ten tasks as teams, the four remaining candidates now compete as individuals in their next task – a series of tough, gruelling interviews with five of Sir Alan's most trusted associates. Each member faces scrutiny over their backgrounds, work experience and performance within the process when questioned by the interviewers. Feedback to Sir Alan, alongside observations by his aides, leads him to firing James Max over questions on his dedication to tasks, and Paul Torrisi for his unclear reasons on the job offer and aggression in interviews. Of the remaining two, Saira Khan receives unanimous praise from interviewers, while Tim Campbell, despite concerns about him being naive, is commended for his business acumen.
1312"The Final"[18]4 May 2005 (2005-05-04)3.77
After facing a multitude of business tasks and a tough interview, the two finalists now face one more challenge – with help from the eliminated candidates, each receives a budget of £5,000 to set up a themed event aboard a riverboat. Saira opts for a wine-tasting event, with her team recouping their costs and making a profit towards the end. Tim opts for a fashion show, demonstrating his ability to keep costs down despite making less from the event. Reviewing the performance of both finalists, Sir Alan decides that Tim Campbell's overall performance and background make him worthy to become his first apprentice, leaving Saira Khan to become the runner up due to issues with her personality and elements of her leadership in the task.
14SP–2"You're Hired!"[19]7 May 2005 (2005-05-07)3.55
In this special episode, Adrian Chiles interviews the winner of The Apprentice and the losing candidates to find out what they learned throughout their time on the show, as well as interviewing Sir Alan to gain his insight on the process and candidates.

References

  1. ^ "Transport manager wins Apprentice". BBC News. 4 May 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2007.
  2. ^ "First Apprentice winner quits job". BBC News. 21 March 2007. Retrieved 16 May 2007.
  3. ^ "Apprentice winners through the years – and where they are now". Daily Star. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  4. ^ Bright Ideas Trust. "Bright Ideas Trust". Bright Ideas Trust. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  5. ^ "Weekly Top 30 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  6. ^ "Episode 1, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  7. ^ "Episode 2, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  8. ^ "Episode 3, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  9. ^ "Episode 4, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  10. ^ "Episode 5, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  11. ^ "Episode 6, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  12. ^ "Episode 7, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  13. ^ "The Story so Far, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  14. ^ "Episode 8, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  15. ^ "Episode 9, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  16. ^ "Episode 10, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  17. ^ "Episode 11, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  18. ^ "Episode 12, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
  19. ^ "You're Hired!, Series 1, The Apprentice – BBC One".
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