Isle Of Wight To Feature In BBC’s The Apprentice

The Isle of Wight is set to appear in one of television’s most watched shows after months of planning behind the scenes.

An upcoming episode of The Apprentice will feature the Island when it airs on 19 March on BBC One, and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

Now in its 20th year, the programme sees candidates compete in a series of business tasks set by Alan Sugar, alongside his advisers Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, with the aim of becoming Lord Sugar’s next business partner.

Producers from Fremantle first contacted Visit Isle of Wight in 2024 while searching for a location for one of the show’s regular challenges.

The task involves contestants taking part in a “discount buying” challenge, where teams must source a list of nine items and try to make the biggest profit.

Visit Isle of Wight suggested a number of local products and potential filming locations across the Isle of Wight, competing with two other locations being considered by producers.

Previous episodes have taken place in destinations including Brighton, Jersey and Stratford-upon-Avon.

Amy Summers, Head of Marketing and Sustainability at Visit Isle of Wight, said the opportunity would showcase the Isle of Wight to millions of viewers.

She said it would not only highlight the Island’s scenery but also give exposure to local businesses and their products.

Amy added that the biggest challenge during the project had been keeping the filming plans secret, and thanked the Isle of Wight businesses that worked with Visit Isle of Wight and the Fremantle production team to make it happen.