ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. – August 18, 2008 - Beginning Monday, August 25th, 14 aspiring tycoons battle it out for the toughest challenge of their lives ¾ a grueling 12- week selection process competing for the chance at a six-figure salary and a dream job working for tough-talking, multi-millionaire Sir Alan Sugar.
CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, presents the U.S. debut of the first season of England's critically acclaimed, "The Apprentice UK," airing on Mondays starting Monday August 25th through Monday, November 10th at 9PM and 1AM ET.
With trusted aids, Margaret Mountford and Nick Hewer, by his side serving as his eyes and ears throughout the competition, Sir Alan Sugar makes it clear exactly who's in charge:
"I'm the one who's going to decide who gets fired. I and only I am the one who's going to fire you people one by one, every week until I've got my apprentice. So you can forget about flicking your hair back and flashing your eyes and having a handsome attack, 'cos it aint going to make any difference. All right? And here's a bit of a warning. Never, ever underestimate me, because you will be making a fatal error."
Among thousands of applicants, 14 of Britain's best prospects hungry for success have been short-listed for a unique opportunity. The candidates come from various backgrounds including a property developer, investment banker, headhunter, sales executive, charity fundraiser, hotel manager, communications manager and student, among others.
During the next 12 weeks, the candidates will live together and work in teams. Their stamina, intelligence and ruthlessness will determine who will be the UK's first apprentice. And, in the cut-throat world of business where the winner takes all, the losers will walk away empty handed. And every week, someone is going to get fired!
Sugar was born in the working-class area of Hackney in London. He left school at 16 when he started selling aerials and electric goods out of a van he bought for 100 pounds. At the age of 21, he founded Amstrad (Alan Michael Sugar Trading) and by the 1980's, his Amstrad computer was a household name across Europe. He became Chairman at Tottenham Hotspur football club and up until last year he was their biggest individual shareholder. In July 2007, Sugar sold his Amstrad empire to Sky but remains Chairman. Amstrad sister companies, Amsair, which offers business and executive jets, and Amsprop, an investment firm which he owns with his son, Daniel, keep Sugar in the business world. Thick-skinned and uncompromising, Sir Alan Sugar is at the top of his game with a global empire worth eight hundred million pounds. Now at the age of 57, Sir Alan Sugar is looking for an apprentice to help take his corporation into the twenty-first century.
"The Apprentice UK" will air on CNBC on Mondays starting August 25th through November 10th. The show airs at 9PM and 1AM ET, with the exception of Labor Day, September 1st, when it will air at 8PM and 11PM ET on CNBC. Each episode of "The Apprentice UK" will repeat the following Saturday at 8PM and 11PM ET starting on Saturday, August 30th.
"The Apprentice UK" was produced by Talkback Thames in association with Mark Burnett Productions for the BBC. Mark Burnett is the creator of "The Apprentice" series franchise. "The Apprentice UK" originally aired on the BBC Two.
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