10 things you didn’t know about The Apprentice: Thomas Skinner on what happens when the cameras stop rolling – from why they’re forced to wear coats and scarves in summer to what Lord Sugar is REALLY like

January 31, 2025

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Published: 11:24 EST, 31 January 2025 | Updated: 11:39 EST, 31 January 2025

The Apprentice returned for season 19 on Thursday night, with 3.5 million viewers tuning in to see who would be the first entrepreneur fired.

The premise is simple, with budding businessmen and women competing in a series of tasks to impress Lord Sugar.

Until season six the candidates would compete for a job at the billionaire’s firm but in recent years the prize was changed to a £250,000 investment into their business.

Thomas Skinner became an instant fan favourite when he appeared on series 15, having made it to week nine before being brought back to help winner Carina Lepore launch her bakery business during the finale.

Now the entrepreneur has revealed to MailOnline 10 behind the scenes secrets about The Apprentice.

10 things you didn't know about The Apprentice after season 19 returned on Thursday night

Series 15 star Thomas Skinner has revealed what happened when the cameras stopped rolling and what Lord Sugar was really like behind the scenes

1. Every 45 minute task takes three days to film

While a condensed version of the tasks is shown in the hour-long episodes, in reality they take three full days to film.

Every series might be spread over 12 weeks but the candidates cram all their filming into a fraction of the time, with filming over in less than two months.

Tasks are filmed back to back so there is very little opportunity for downtime or days off.

2. The producers control the negotiations

During selling tasks that require interacting with the public, producers step in to oversee the negotiations.

It may appear that the contestants just run into random shops and approach the public on their own back, but Thomas revealed that producers have already had a word.

‘They tell them to make it really hard to buy or to be a p***k on purpose!’

3. If a sale isn’t filmed, it doesn’t count.

Anything that it isn’t captured on film will not count in the tasks so all sales must wait until the cameras are on.

The contestants are also banned from discussing the task when they’re back at the house, ensuring that the juicy conversations are saved for when the cameras are rolling.

It also means the contestants won’t be able to predict which team has won the task.

4. The products designed by candidates aren’t made

While the contestants spend hours brainstorming ideas and creating products to pitch to clients, the finished product never gets made.

Any items that are sold to big businesses in pitches are purely hypothetical sales to convey to Lord Sugar how successful they would be in real life.

In tasks where they are selling real items to the public such as food and experiences, any profit made isn’t given to the contestants or Lord Sugar but is donated to charity.

Lord Sugar debates who should win the show with aides Karren Brady and Tim Campbell but keeps the outcome to himself until getting ready to film You're Hired

5. You’re filmed getting ‘fired’ on the first day

When a contestant is fired, they’re seen wheeling their case out of the office before hopping into a black cab to share their parting words but in reality, the walking out scenes are filmed before the process even begins.

Contestants will only film their final words and are bundled up in coats and scarves because they will inevitably be wearing a different outfit on the week they are sent home.

Thomas explained: ‘When you’re fired you’re put in a green room for a bit and then you get in a car and film your last words on the way back to a hotel.’

6. Lord Sugar really does want you to ‘keep in touch’

On some occasions, Lord Sugar will asked a fired contestant to ‘keep in touch’ and update him with any of their business achievements.

While some would assume it was a nice yet hollow gesture, Thomas revealed that the magnate is true to his word.

‘He’s a nice bloke!’ Thomas said. ‘I’ve got his number that we have a chat every now and then. I’ve asked him for a bit of advice and I’ve sold him kind of bits and pieces too!’

7. The final is filmed twice so nobody knows the winner

In order to stop the winner from being leaked, two endings are filmed and nobody knows whose been picked – not even the winner themselves.

Lord Sugar debates the decision with aides Karren Brady and Tim Campbell but keeps the outcome to himself until getting ready to film You’re Hired, in which the contestants talk about their time on the show.

Although the contestants all know who is in the final because they’re brought in to help out they’re told to keep their lips sealed.

Thomas made it to week nine before being brought back to help winner Carina Lepore (centre) launch her bakery business during the finale

8. The girls don’t really get ready in 20 minutes

In every episode the candidates are seen being woken up a phone call in the early hours when they’re told they’ll need to be ready to leave the house in 20 minutes time.

Yet Thomas revealed that they’re warned the day before what time the phone will ring, allowing the candidates a head start.

He explained: ‘Everyone gets up a little bit earlier to start getting ready then jumps back into bed and pretends to be asleep when the phone rings! All the girls have a full face of makeup on under the covers!’

9. You’re completely cut off from the outside world

During the filming process contestants have to surrender their phones to producers ensuring they can’t use the internet or contact loved ones.

Thomas explained: ‘It looks easy when you watch it on TV but it’s really hard when you’re in there.

‘You haven’t got a phone, you haven’t got the internet. You can’t go and ring your family or your friends so you’re sort of stuck. You can’t ask for any advice so everything you do is spur of the moment.’

10. Alcohol is banned

During the last episode of The Apprentice, it was revealed that candidate Reece Donnelly was axed from the show after drinking alcohol on flight to Dubai.

Thomas confirmed that producers enforced a strict booze ban during filming, explaining: ‘I can’t comment on what happened to Reece but we definitely weren’t allowed any alcohol when we filmed my series.’

Previous candidates have revealed that they were allowed to enjoy one glass of bubbly during their treats after winning tasks and this was closely monitored by producers.