Viewers who tuned into the latest episode of The Apprentice on Thursday night took to social media after noticing a change to the show’s format.
The long-running BBC series, which debuted its 20th season in January, sees 20 candidates compete for a chance to secure Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment in their business plan, as well as his mentorship.
Over the course of the series, the candidates are split into teams and set weekly tasks, all designed to test their skills in negotiation, sales, marketing and leadership. The losing team faces Lord Sugar and his formidable advisors Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, who have been keeping a watchful eye over the teams and making notes on their performance during the tasks. At the end of the episode, one or more of the candidates is fired.
Usually, Lord Sugar rewards the winning team with a prize, such as a spa trip. However, viewers have noticed the winning teams of the latest season have yet to be treated so far.
What have viewers said about the latest episode?
Taking to social media, viewers questioned why the winning team hadn’t received a reward. One person wrote: “Just thinking – no reward for winning a task this series,” while another asked: “Why doesn’t the winning team get a reward anymore?”
© BBC/Naked (A Freemantle Label)A third viewer penned: “Wait the winning team doesn’t get a reward anymore?! #TheApprentice,” while another asked: “#TheApprentice Why aren’t the winners getting a prize experience this year?”
At the end of episode one, Lord Sugar didn’t explicitly tell the winning team that he was withdrawing their reward, but he did call their performance a “disgrace”.
© BBC / FremantleMedia Ltd“Technically yes you’ve won, but I wouldn’t call this a win,” he said. “Quite frankly, it’s a total disgrace.”
Has Lord Sugar ever not awarded a winning team with a reward?
If the winning team hasn’t performed to Lord Sugar’s liking, he may choose to withdraw the reward. However, this doesn’t often happen.
One of the most notable instances took place in 2011, when Lord Sugar provided the two teams with a pallet carrying 250 pounds’ worth of wholesale goods and tasked them with reinvesting in the best-selling products.
© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Naked (A Freemantle Label)/Ray BurmistonWhile the winning team made a profit of £751, Lord Sugar was still disappointed with the performance of the group, who were fined for ignoring the rules about reinvestment. Subsequently, Lord Sugar cancelled their reward, which would have been a helicopter trip to the sporting estate Goodwood and riding in vintage cars.
The Apprentice season 20 continues Thursday 12 February at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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