Lord Sugar gets grilled by pint-sized tycoons and for once, he’s the one in the hot seat.
The Apprentice boss, 78, found himself under fire from a fearless group of mini magnates who weren’t afraid to ask the tough questions, from his famously grumpy streak to his millions, football loyalties, inheritance plans and workplace regrets.
But instead of his trademark boardroom scowl, the business mogul actually manages a smile, proving he might just be going a bit soft in his old age.
It’s all for a good cause, of course. The special boardroom takeover was filmed in honour of Children in Need, which returns Friday night with Lenny Rush and Pudsey putting kids centre stage across the BBC’s biggest shows.
In the Daily Mail’s exclusive clip, the young candidates, dressed to impress in their sharpest business gear, stride into the Apprentice boardroom to face Lord Sugar and his right-hand duo, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell.
And while most adults might quake under that glare, one bold youngster dares to ask: ‘If your name’s Sugar, why are you so salty?’
Lord Sugar gets grilled by pint-sized tycoons and for once, he’s the one in the hot seat, as he takes part in a special sketch for Children in Need Â
The Apprentice boss found himself under fire from a fearless group of mini magnates who weren’t afraid to ask the tough questionsÂ
In the Daily Mail’s exclusive clip, the young candidates, dressed to impress in their sharpest business gear, stride into the Apprentice boardroom to face Lord Sugar and his right-hand duo
After being summoned to the boardroom, Lord Sugar wasted no time, barking: ‘Right, now listen, I’m busy, who’s first?’
One brave youngster from the Children in Need project Haringey Shed, an inclusive theatre and performing arts company, didn’t hold back, asking: ‘Why is your name Lord Sugar when you’re so salty all the time?’
For once, the Apprentice boss cracked a smile. ‘Well, Sugar is my name, and that’s it. What can I say?’
His business aide Karren Brady laughed: ‘You’re not always salty…’ to which Lord Sugar admitted with a grin: ‘No.’
Meanwhile, Karren and Tim, winner of the very first series of The Apprentice, couldn’t help giggling as the children fired off question after question.
Reflecting on the Children in Need sketch, Lord Sugar joked: ‘As a special one-off, I’ve agreed to let some youngsters come in and grill me. I’m doing Pudsey a favour. I must be going a bit soft… but let’s see what happens.’
Viewers can watch the full moment this Friday during Children in Need on BBC One and iPlayer, starting at 7pm.Â
Fans won’t have to wait long to see more of the mogul this festive season, as he returns for Celebrity Apprentice, putting a famous lineup of stars through their paces.
The young candidates were called into the famous boardroom by Lord Sugar’s receptionist, who delivered the iconic words: ‘You can go through to the boardroom now’
Speaking about the experience, Lord Sugar admitted he must be ‘going a bit soft’ to agree to take part in the Children in Need sketch
Karren and Tim Campbell, winner of the very first series of The Apprentice, couldn’t help giggling as the children fired off question after questionÂ
Tim laughed out loud as Lord Sugar was quizzed by the special guests in the boardroom, in scenes set to air on Friday eveningÂ
Airing this Christmas as part of a two-part Children in Need special celebrating 20 years of The Apprentice, a star-studded lineup of celebrities including, TV star Rob Rinder, EastEnders actor Jake Wood, JLS singer JB Gill, Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu, and comedian Shazia Mirza, will compete for their chosen charities.
They are joined by comedian Eddie Kadi, Gladiator Matt Morsia, Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena Cox, DJ Charlie Hedges, and former Strictly stars Sarah Hadland and Angela Scanlon.
Tom Skinner, the first contestant to be eliminated from Strictly this series, returns to the program after first making his mark on the show in 2019.Â
The bed salesman impressed Lord Sugar with his enthusiasm and character but didn’t reach the final that year, with the £250,000 investment ultimately awarded to bakery owner Carina Lepore.Â
In the New Year, the civilian series of The Apprentice will return, with Lord Sugar investing in his latest business partner, the winner of his six-figure investment.Â
