Key Highlights
- The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas Specials line-up has been announced for this festive season.
- AJ Odudu and Angela Scanlon lead the list of 12 celebrities participating in the special.
- The celebrity candidates will create gingerbread biscuits to support BBC Children in Need.
- Both teams will pitch their biscuit ideas to retailers, with every purchase helping raise funds for the charity.
Festive Fun and Fundraising: The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas Specials
The festive season is heating up as BBC’s iconic reality TV show, The Apprentice, returns in a special Christmas edition aimed at raising funds for BBC Children in Need. This year, twelve celebrities will be stepping into the boardroom to not only showcase their business acumen but also create delicious gingerbread biscuits that will go on sale nationwide.
A Celebrity Line-up for the Ages
The lineup of participating celebrities is a mix of familiar faces and fresh talents. The 12 contestants include AJ Odudu, Angela Scanlon, Charlie Hedges, Eddie Kadi, Jake Wood, JB Gill, Kadeena Cox, Matt Morsia, Rob Rinder, Sarah Hadland, Shazia Mirza, and Tom Skinner. Each celebrity will work in teams to develop unique biscuit flavors, from the “Be Naughty, Get Nice” Jolly McTrouble by AJ Odudu’s team to the rebellious Gary the Penguin by Angela Scanlon’s side.
Tasked with a Sweet Challenge
In this two-part Christmas special, the celebrities are divided into two teams and sent on an adventure to Lapland. Their task is to create their own gingerbread biscuits, develop marketing strategies including creating ads and jingles, and ultimately pitch these products to retailers to secure sales. The show promises a mix of creativity, competition, and of course, some festive fun.
Lord Sugar, the show’s gruff but fair mentor, calls upon Santa Claus for help in this unique challenge.
According to Lord Sugar, “It’s the first ever time on The Celebrity Apprentice that the public can buy products created by the celebrity candidates. It’s added some real pressure to the process.” His words reflect the seriousness with which these celebrities approach their task.
Team Jolly McTrouble and Team Gary the Penguin
The first team, led by AJ Odudu, Charlie Hedges, Eddie Kadi, Jake Woods, Kadeena Cox, and Rob Rinder, has created the biscuit “Jolly McTrouble,” a gingerbread treat adorned with butter toffee, vanilla, and Christmas pudding flavoured icing. This unique combination is accompanied by a tagline that encapsulates its spirit: “Be Naughty, Get Nice.” The second team, comprising Angela Scanlon, JB Gill, Matt Morsia, Sarah Hadland, Shazia Mirza, and Tom Skinner, has opted for the “Cheeky Treat” Gary the Penguin biscuit, which combines gingerbread with lemon, bubble gum, and white pepper.
Both teams will face off in a fierce competition to secure sales. The biscuits, created by these celebrity chefs, will be available nationwide from retailers such as Asda, Tesco, Boots, Debenhams, One Stop, Ocado Retail, Amazon Online, Amazon Fresh stores (London), Lola’s Cupcakes, Knoops, Haven Holidays, Wenzel’s The Bakers, and Greenhalgh’s bakeries.
A Heartwarming Partnership
The partnership with BBC Children in Need is not just about raising funds. It also involves a visit to the Chickenshed Theatre Trust, where the celebrity candidates share their advertising campaigns with young children who offer honest feedback. This interaction highlights the show’s commitment to making a difference beyond the boardroom.
Conclusion
The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas Specials are set to air later this year on BBC One and iPlayer, offering viewers an opportunity not just to watch but also to contribute directly by purchasing these limited-edition biscuits. With every purchase, shoppers can support the critical work of BBC Children in Need, which supports disabled children and those with additional needs.
