When is The Apprentice 2022 on TV? How to watch BBC programme, where is Claude Littner, and who is in the cast

After a nearly three-year absence, The Apprentice will be returning in January 2022.

Alan Sugar will be testing a whole new group of contestants. He’ll be joined by new advisor and former winner Tim Campbell, who is standing in for Claude Littner as he recovers from an injury sustained earlier this year.

Here’s everything you need to know about The Apprentice Series 16

When is The Apprentice 2022 on and how can I watch it?

The Apprentice Series 16 will begin on BBC One on Thursday January 6. Episodes will continue weekly after that.

Is Claude Littner going to be on The Apprentice 2022 and who is replacing him?

Claude Littner won’t be appearing as Alan Sugar’s aide on The Apprentice this year, as he’s recovering from an operation earlier this year.

Littner, 72, was involved in a bicycle accident in April. He needed nine surgeries, and almost lost his leg.

As a result, he’s going to be replaced by former Apprentice winner Tim Campbell, who will help Alan Sugar and Karen Brady scrutinise this year’s contestants.

The plan is currently for Claude to return for Series 17.

Who is Tim Campbell and when did he win The Apprentice?

Tim Campbell won the very first series of The Apprentice in 2005. Campbell was Project Manager for his team twice, and when he won The Apprentice he joined Alan Sugar’s company Amstrad on a £100,000 salary.

He continued to work at Amstrad until 2007. After leaving, Campbell briefly set up a perfume business, though quickly moved on to found the Bright Ideas Trust. Campbell was made an MBE in 2012.

On joining the show, Campbell said: “I’m excited to be looking after Claude’s boardroom chair while he recuperates and look forward to seeing what the candidates come up with on this year’s tasks.”

“I was saddened by the circumstances which led to getting the call from Lord Sugar, but having been on the show myself, I know the hard work that goes into it – so I didn’t take the decision lightly. I wish Claude the very best as he recovers.

Is there a trailer and where can I watch it?

Yes, there is, and you can watch it right here. In The Apprentice 2022 trailer below, you can see a robot Alan Sugar being assembled bit by bit, ready to return to the boardroom after a three-year hiatus.

Who are the 2022 candidates for The Apprentice?

There are 16 new candidates for The Apprentice this year - you can read more about them here.

Why was The Apprentice on hiatus?

The last series of The Apprentice aired in 2019, meaning there will have been nearly three years between it and its 2022 return.

The Apprentice was put on hold because of disruptions caused by the coronavirus.

What is the prize for The Apprentice?

Contestants on The Apprentice will be competing for a £250,000 business investment from Alan Sugar.

Artisan baker Carina Lepore won the 2019 series of The Apprentice.

Who was sent home last week?

In the most recent episode, Navid Sole was sent home.

Shama Amin has also left for health reasons.

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going. You can also sign up to our email newsletters and get a curated selection of our best reads to your inbox every day.