BBC The Apprentice in chaos as final two contestants 'leaked online' ahead of semi-final

Olivia Gantzer
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:02:46 +0000

The identity of The Apprentice's two finalists is understood to have spread across social media just hours before tonight's semi-final broadcast.

It has emerged one of the contestants shared the outcome with their group chat, and the information subsequently found its way online.

The BBC has been approached for comment regarding the apparent spoiler.

Viewers tuning in this evening will watch Dan Miller, Karishma Vijay, Lawrence Rosenberg, Pascha Myhill and Priyesh Bathia face the notoriously gruelling interview stage as they compete for a spot in next week's final.

The prize at stake remains Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment alongside a 50/50 business partnership with the 78-year-old entrepreneur.

Tonight's semi-final marks the penultimate episode of the BBC One show's 20th series, which first aired on January 29.

The five hopefuls will undergo the programme's infamous interview round, where business experts scrutinise their plans and backgrounds.

However, The Sun has reported the final two leak emerged just hours before the episode airs.

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It comes after the remaining candidates appeared on This Morning on Thursday alongside hosts Joel Dommett and Rochelle Humes, as well as former winner Tim Campbell.

During the interview, Lawrence Rosenberg, 28, disclosed an unusual ritual he has maintained throughout the competition.

The semi-finalist revealed he has been carrying an empty suitcase into the boardroom each week, containing nothing but a packet of prawn cocktail crisps.

"I heard that Dean [Franklin] who won the series last year... Dean didn't bring a suitcase with anything in it each week," he explained.

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"Once I didn't get fired the first time doing it, it had to be the empty suitcase."

A preview of tonight's episode reveals an emotional moment during the interview stage, with Claudine Collins visibly moved by one candidate's personal story.

Beauty brand owner Karishma Vijay, 28, opened up in the clip about her father's financial difficulties during her conversation with Collins, Mail Online reports.

"My dad was, at one point, a very financially stable man. Now we have very little to get through each month," Karishma told the interviewer.

She explained that her motivation stems from her family's circumstances, sharing: "It's why I'm here, because for me, at the core of my business plan is rent is due on the 22nd. Today - my rent is due today."

Karishma added: "I want to give him the world. Everything I do, my dad's at the very core of it."

Following the exchange, Ms Collins was shown wiping away tears after Karishma left the room.

Meanwhile, former contestant Kieran McCartney has spoken about the toll the competition took on him during his time in the process.

The 27-year-old estate agent, who departed last week after honouring a pact with Lord Sugar to leave if his team lost, revealed he got through approximately 800 cigarettes across his 10-week stint.

"By the end of it, I think I'd done 800. I used to have a family that sent me 200 cards in every few weeks," he told The Sun.