How to watch The Apprentice UK series 20 from anywhere
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Two decades in, The Apprentice UK is still swinging, and Series 20 might just be its boldest run yet. Streaming exclusively on BBC iPlayer from Thursday, January 29, 2026, the new season launches in Hong Kong, swapping the usual London skyline for international stakes straight out of the gate.
This time, 20 candidates are in the running, the largest cast in over a decade, and each one thinks they’ve got what it takes to win Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment. The format’s the same, but the pressure’s dialed up. With egos to manage, markets to crack, and products to pitch (some worse than others), the weekly boardroom remains as brutal as ever.
How to watch The Apprentice UK Series 20 outside the UK
BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK. If you’re abroad and still want to stream The Apprentice, the simplest workaround is using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Here’s how it works:
- Choose a VPN with UK servers (like NordVPN or Surfshark).
- Install the app on your device and connect to a UK server.
- Create a free BBC iPlayer account (you’ll need a UK postcode like SW1A 1AA).
- Stream Series 20 on iPlayer as if you were in the UK.
Why use a VPN?
Without a VPN, trying to stream from outside the UK will trigger an error like: “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.” This geo-restriction is based on your IP address, which tells websites where you’re located.
A VPN lets you appear as if you’re in the UK by routing your connection through a UK-based server. Not only does this unlock The Apprentice and other UK content, but it also encrypts your data, protects your identity on public Wi-Fi, and helps avoid ISP throttling.
Full cast
The Apprentice UK Series 20 brings together one of the show's most diverse and outspoken casts yet. With 20 candidates from industries like fashion, tech, property, and wellness, the competition is as much about personalities as business plans. From seasoned entrepreneurs to first-time founders, here’s a closer look at who’s entering the boardroom this season and what they do:
| Contestant | Background / Business |
| Andrea Cooper | Lettings agency owner from Barnsley |
| Carrington Saunders | Online loungewear business owner from Southeast London |
| Georgia Newton | Actress and events manager from East London |
| Conor Galvin | Photo booth business owner from Cork, Ireland |
| Karishma Vijay | Beauty and skincare brand owner from Ashford, Surrey |
| Dan Miller | Recruitment company owner from Richmond, London |
| Tanmay Hingorani | AI product consultant from Islington, London |
| Marcus Donkoh | Barber from South London |
| Nikki Jetha | Mortgage broker from Hornchurch, Essex |
| Priyeshi Bhatia | Global account manager from Harrow, London |
| Lawrence Rosenberg | Public relations specialist from Watford |
| Roxanne Hamedi | Pharmacist and reality TV personality from Aberdeen |
| Kieran McCartney | Estate agent from East London |
| Vanessa Tetteh‑Squire | Tech project manager and swimwear brand founder from Enfield, London |
| Harry Clough | Financial sales manager from Battersea, London |
| Pascha Myhill | Recruitment consultant from Reading |
| Rothna Akhtar | Student wellbeing adviser from East London |
| Levi Hague | Former RAF gunner and HGV driver from Doncaster |
| Megan Ruiter | Online clothing brand owner from Merseyside |
| Rajan Gill | Pharmaceutical sales specialist from Medway, Kent |
