The Apprentice is back, with 18 ambitious new candidates hoping to make it as Lord Sugar's new business partner.

Who are the brave candidates facing firings and hirings in the boardroom this series?

The Apprentice 2023 candidates

Avi Sharma

From: London

Occupation: City banker

USP: "I’m a confident chap who can bring a smile to the most miserable face!"

Bradley Johnson

From: North Yorkshire

Occupation: Construction company director

USP: "My USP is my drive and determination. Starting a business from absolutely nothing and taking it to a company that’s turning over six figures demonstrates my determination and strong work ethic. A lot of people in business - I’m not saying everyone - have inherited their businesses, this is not the case for myself. I was made redundant in 2019 and now, we’re turning over half-a-million, which is something I’m immensely proud of."

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Dani Donovan

From: Hertfordshire

Occupation: Hair salon owner

USP: "My unique selling point is my personality, I bring something unique. I’m a different kind of business owner, which is a lot more relatable to people. That is really what I would like to promote as a person, that business is something that doesn’t need to be fancy words and suits. I believe the key to business is passion and when you're passionate about something you can be successful in it."

Denisha Kaur Bharj - FIRED - Week 4

From: Leicestershire

Occupation: Financial controller

USP: "I’m a strong, motivated, hard-working woman. I know my worth and what I can achieve, most people don’t know that. I’m not scared of getting out of my comfort zone if it means being successful.

"I have always known what I wanted in life. I know the dreams I want to achieve. There’s only one Denisha Kaur."

Emma Browne - FIRED - Week 1

From: County Kildare

Occupation: Senior account executive

USP: "I am a highly motivated, results-oriented professional with five-plus years of hands-on sales experience within diverse, competitive sales environments. I have a track record of attracting and winning new clients. If I have an opinion and I think its valid and logical I will say it how it is; I want to ensure we win tasks."

Gregory Ebbs - FIRED - Week 3

From: Shropshire

Occupation: Online antiques marketplace owner

USP: "My USP is my ability to think outside the box and try out new and different things. I think I’ve got a really clear vision of what I want in the future and that is substantiated from having diverse experience in different fields and my willingness to try things that very few people will do."

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Joe Phillips

From: Worcestershire

Occupation: Safari guide, South Africa

USP: "I studied zoology and animal behaviour and specialised at being a safari guide in South Africa. So, I think with regards to entering The Apprentice, that gives me the edge I need, to be unique enough to succeed in the process."

Kevin D'Arcy - FIRED - Week 2

From: Dublin

Occupation: Accountant

USP: "I have not only a strong 10-year career in financial services, but a thriving business I set up on the side that has turned over just under half a million in two years. That shows that I have commercial awareness and the drive and determination to succeed that sets me apart from the rest."

Mark Moseley

From: London

Occupation: Pest control company owner

USP: "My USP is that I’m very talkative with the charm to match – I can sell to anyone. I’ve been around the world and have met hundreds of different people, from members of the royal family to celebrities. I can always speak to them in a confident manner, so I know I’d be right at home negotiating and securing deals with some of the biggest brands."

Marnie Swindells

From: London

Occupation: Court advocate

USP: "My unique selling point is my imagination and creativity. I can see opportunity everywhere I look and being able to have that vision is something I think separates me from other people."

Megan Hornby

From: East Yorkshire

Occupation: Sweet shop and cafe owner

USP: "My USP is definitely my honesty. I think that no matter what situation I am thrown into, I will always give one hundred percent truth, even if it’s hard to hear. I always believe that honesty is the most important thing in business."

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Reece Donnelly

From: Glasgow

Occupation: Theatre school owner

USP: "My USP is that I’m the youngest CEO of a further education college in the UK. I launched my first business at nineteen and from there have gone from strength to strength, turning over six figures within three years and now on track to turning over half a million. Despite my age, I have all the experience, drive, and personality to take my success achieved in Scotland to link up with Lord Sugar and scale that up across the rest of the UK."

Rochelle Anthony

From: Bedfordshire

Occupation: Hair salon and academy owner

USP: "I am a tenacious, fierce, and determined businesswoman."

Shannon Martin - QUIT - Week 2

From: West Yorkshire

Occupation: Bridal boutique owner

USP: "My USP is the fact that I’ve got a million-pound business, that might hopefully be a multi-million-pound business in the coming months!"

Shazia Hussain

From: London

Occupation: Technology recruiter

USP: "My USP is my ADHD, which means I can process information faster than others. This often means that my reaction time is quicker, and I look at things differently."

Simba Rwambiwa

From: Birmingham

Occupation: Senior sales representative

USP: "My USP is myself. If people can’t buy into you, they’ll never buy anything from you."

Sohail Chowdhary

From: Southampton

Occupation: Martial arts school owner

USP: "My USP is systemisation and automation. That means, to put it simply, turning my laziness into a positive by creating smart solutions and simple shortcuts to difficult problems. I can achieve the same results as others in half the time."

Victoria Goulbourne

From: Merseyside

Occupation: Online sweet business owner

USP: "As a former flight attendant and now a business owner, my customer service skills are unrivalled. I know what consumers want. I’ve travelled all over the world and I’m not afraid to take on a challenge."

The Apprentice continues on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One.