The Apprentice’s most iconic moments

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by Jack White |
Updated on

Get ready to put your business hat on as The Apprentice is back on our screens

One of the best things about this time of year is The Apprentice returns. We can’t wait to meet the new bunch of candidates hoping to secure a business deal with Lord Alan Sugar – and we’ve taken a look back over some of our favourite moments from the past 10 series. What was your best bit?

Philip Taylor – Pantsman (2009)

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This has to be one of the best moments from The Apprentice’s 11-year run. When tasked with creating an advert for a new breakfast cereal, Philip Taylor came up with Pantsman.

Pantsman wore his underwear over his trousers and loved cereal – unsurprisingly Lord Sugar wasn’t in love with the idea.

James Hill – Stretching in the boardroom (2014)

Labelled the hottest Apprentice candidate ever (we totally agree, btw), James was also TV gold.

This is just one example: despite the teams getting a telling-off from Lord Sugar, James clearly had his mind on the gym and starting warming up for his evening workout.

Katie Hopkins – Quitting while you’re ahead (2007)

Leave it to Katie Hopkins to bring the controversy. The social commentator, before being known for saying mean things about basically everyone, attempted to become Lord Sugar’s Apprentice.

But after getting down to the final three, Katie realised she’d actually have to work for him and quit the show. She’s still the only person ever to do so.

Yasmina Siadaten – Sandalwood or Cedarwood? (2009)

This is one of those moments that will stay with us forever. When eventual winner Yasmina was heading up a perfume-making task, she and the other girls got confused with the price of sandalwood oil and cedarwood oil, which is much cheaper.

Which meant they actually spent £700 on oils before the task had properly begun.

Tom Gearing (2012)

Tom Gearing
©BBC One

There’s no real reason to include Tom in this list, apart from the fact he was really nice to look at. And still is.

Neil Clough – Right man, wrong plan (2013)

When you go on The Apprentice, it’s probably wise to listen to Lord Sugar when it comes to business. But Neil was so certain his online estate agency would be a success that he didn’t feel the need to take Lord Sugar’s comments on board.

In response, LS fired him and said: “ I might as well put that money in a slot machine. I might as well throw it over London Bridge – the right man, the wrong plan.”

Debra Barr – Business villain (2009)

Debra Barr
©BBC One

Scary Debra was a villain to rival Hopkins – and the rest of the candidates were clearly very wary of her. Even LS didn’t phase her and, when she was thankfully fired, she told the business tycoon it was ‘the biggest mistake of his life’. Something tells us LS got over it…

WATCH Camilla Ainsworth reveals what Lord Sugar is really like | The Apprentice secrets

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Celebrity Big Brother's most outrageous moments SLIDER

roxanne pallett emmerdale1 of 31
CREDIT: Channel 5

Roxanne Pallett accused Ryan Thomas of punching her

When Roxanne Pallett and Ryan Thomas were playing fighting no one was quite prepared when the Emmerdale actress claimed that he punched her hard in the ribs. She was quick to tell the rest of the housemates, ask Big Brother why Ryan wasn't removed from the house and branded him 'a liar', 'manipulative' and 'calculating'. During an eviction the CBB crowd were chanting for Roxanne to leave and shortly after she quit the show.That didn't stop the nation from being furious and Ofcom received over 11,000 complaints. She's since apologised for her actions but Ryan's brother Adam has slammed her apology and so has the Corrie star's girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh.

Kim loses her rag2 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Kim Woodburn's explosive row

Security entered the house in 2017 to escort Kim Woodburn out, following an explosive row with her housemates.

Biggins gets the boot3 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Christopher Biggins' shocking removal

In 2016, Christopher Biggins was removed from the house after making shocking homophobic and anti-Semitic comments.

What happens in the bathroom doesn't stay in the bathroom...4 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Stephen Bear and Chloe Khan's bathroom saga

In 2016, Stephen told Chloe he wanted to "f**k her in the bathroom" while the pair got intimate after locking themselves in the bathroom... the noises were unbearable!

Uh oh Bear...5 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Stephen Bear's love affair

In 2016, Stephen Bear's girlfriend entered the house to confront him after he cheated with housemate Chloe Khan.

GC'S diva antics6 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Gemma Collins' controversial decision

In 2016, Gemma Collins chose to have a professional blow dry at the expense of her fellow housemates losing out on hot water and the use of hair appliances for the day.

Mad Megs7 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Megan McKenna's meltdown

In 2016, Megan McKenna's drunken meltdown got her removed from the house by security.

CBB love affair8 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Stephanie and Jeremy's romance

In 2016, Stephanie Davis publicly cheated with Jeremy McConnell, while her boyfriend tuned in to watch every night... awkward.

DAVID'S DEAD9 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

'David's Dead' confusion

In 2016, Tiffany Pollard was hysterical after mishearing Angie Bowie's news that her husband David Bowie had died, and mistaking him for her fellow housemate David Gest.

Dirty laundry humiliation10 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Stephanie Davis' knickers humiliation

In 2016, John Partridge, Christopher Maloney and Darren Day came across Stephanie's dirty underwear and publicly mocked her stains, referring to them as "pigeon s--t".

Winston clashes with the house11 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Winston McKenzie's homophobic slur

In 2016, housemates were left stunned as Winston McKenzie's homophobic views were exposed in a task, as he compared gay adoption to "child abuse".

Geordie Shore meets TOWIE12 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Lewis Bloor and Marnie Simpson's shower scene

In 2016, Marnie Simpson and Lewis Bloor enjoyed a naked romp in the showers... Nice.

The Perez Show13 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Perez Hilton's sexual threats

Perez Hilton repeatedly tells Calum Best he'd "shove his huge dk up your ae" during a heated row in 2015.

Perez vs. Katie14 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Perez Hilton harassing Katie Hopkins

During their daily bust-ups in 2015, Perez Hilton tried to lick Katie Hopkins whilst singing "lick it good, suck this d**k just like you should"... charming.

Banana-gate15 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Alicia Douvall banana-gate

In 2015, Alicia Douvall was left in tears after housemates caught her stealing bananas and hiding them under her bed... there's worse sins!

N-word bombshell16 of 31
CREDIT: BBC

Ken Morley's racist slur

Ken Morley was removed from the house in 2015 for using the 'n-word' in a heated discussion with Alexander O'Neal.

The love triangle drama17 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Lee Ryan, Casey Batchelor and Jasmine Waltz's love triangle

Following her on-screen romance with Lee Ryan, Jasmine Waltz re-entered the house after he quickly moved on to fellow housemate Casey Bachelor in 2014.

Leslie and Frenchy come to blows18 of 31

Leslie Jordan's row with Frenchy

In 2014, Leslie Jordan lost his cool with Frenchy after she cut up his underwear, calling her "white trash" and a "stinking French s**t!"

Na Na Neigh!19 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Dappy's raunchy bathroom scene

Dappy 'windmilled' after jumping in the pool with Luisa in 2014.

CBB villains Speidi20 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Spencer and Heidi Pratt's villainous antics

In 2013, Spencer and Heidi Pratt prevented housemate Claire Richards from getting a letter from her children... AND celebrated it.

Lauren takes a tumble21 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Lauren Harries falling over 24/7

Lauren Harries constantly tripped over in 2013. How?!

Karissa was not impressed...22 of 31

Denise Welch's drunken antics

In 2012, Karissa Shannon threatened to leave and sue the show as a drunken Denise Welch jokingly pulled down her trousers and exposed her bum.

Frankie doesn't go to Hollywood23 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Frankie Cocozza and Nicola Maclean get steamy in the hot tub

Frankie Cocozza and Nicola Maclean get steamy in the hot tub in 2012.

Julie takes a trip to the fruitbowl24 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Julie Goodyear's banana scene

Julie Goodyear got a little too personal with a banana in 2012.

Jedward in their pants25 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Jedward get vajazzled

Jedward got vajazzled by Amy Childs in 2011... not something you want to see every day.

Naked man alert!26 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Alex Reid's beauty regime

Alex Reid got a fake tan in the buff in 2010.

Verne Troyer drink driving27 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Verne Troyer's drunken collision

Verne Troyer had a head-on collision with the Diary Room after getting a bit tipsy in 2009.

Poppadomgate28 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Jade Goody vs. Shilpa Shetty

Jade vs Shilpa in 2007 led to one of the most controversial CBB moments EVER and to Jade's silent eviction from the house.

And the award for Politician of the Year goes to...29 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

George Galloway's cat incident

George Galloway pretended to be a pussy-cat in 2006. A nation shuddered.

Heeeeeeere's Jackie!30 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Jackie Stallone's shock arrival

Jackie Stallone's shock arrival in the house in 2003 was accompanied by the immortal line: 'Yeaaaah, Jaaaackie!'

Feltz Meltz31 of 31
CREDIT: CBB

Vanessa Feltz tragic meltdown

In the first ever CBB in 2001 Vanessa Feltz had a meltdown and scrawled posh words all over a table.

Jamie Lester – Best tour guide ever (2010)

Jamie Lester
©BBC One

On a Ghosts & Ghouls tour, Jamie didn’t have a clue what he was doing – but that didn’t stop him. He told a bus full of tourists: “The Thames is the second biggest river in London. See that building that looks like a gherkin? Well, it’s called the Gherkin because it looks like a gherkin. Westminster Abbey – well, it’s a church. And Big Ben’s clock face is 20 diameters in width.”

He gets points for creativity and sheer cockiness, though.

Nick Hewer – (2010)

Nick Hewer
©BBC One

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We miss Nick and his sassy shade-throwing antics. One of his best lines ever was about Stella English, when Liz Locke made her sit in a boutique window and beckon the customers in.

He said: “Stella’s in a short dress, waving at people from a window. In Manchester? No. Amsterdam? Maybe.”

When is The Apprentice back on TV?

The Apprentice will be back on BBC One on October 2nd at it's usual time of 9pm, and you can expect a special extended episode for the first helping.

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