TV season

Season 4

2008-03-26

Series Four of The Apprentice was a British reality television series. The series began on BBC One on 26 March 2008, and ran for twelve weekly episodes. Auditions and interviews are reported to have taken place during the first two weeks of July 2007 in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Bristol. A record 20,000 applications were received. Sir Alan Sugar reprised his role as the boss, and Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford again served as his advisers. 'Frances', Sir Alan's boardroom 'receptionist', also returned. The show's spin-off, The Apprentice: You're Fired!, was again hosted by Adrian Chiles. Filming of the first episode of The Apprentice: You're Fired! took place on 25 March 2008. TV presenter Jennifer Maguire also participated in this series.

Episodes

Episode 1

Fishy Business

2008-03-26 • 60 min

To start of the new season, Sir Alan sets the task in which two teams, separating into the girls and the boys, have to sell fish out on the streets of London. There was much talk of the boys' team splitting into two factions: the first of these contained Alex, Simon, Lee and Ian while the second consisted of Raef, Michael and Nicholas. Coverage was shown of all members of the boys' team; however, some members of the girls' team (notably Shazia, Lucinda and Jenny) had almost no coverage in this week's episode.

Episode 2

A Dirty Job

2008-04-02 • 60 min

Sir Alan Sugar puts 16 applicants through the job interview from hell. After an exhausting first task, the applicants are challenged to set up an overnight laundry business. They persuade customers to part with their washing (including hundreds of sheets from a hotel chain) then clean into the early hours. The following morning, following Sir Alan's warning not to lose a single sock, they return the clothes. Sir Alan's aides Nick and Margaret watch, and a second applicant will be fired.

Episode 3

Cooking with Gas

2008-04-09 • 60 min

The teams must take over a pub and turn it into a themed restaurant - however, the pub kitchens in which the teams will be based, have never served food before.

Episode 4

Photo Finish

2008-04-16 • 60 min

Four weeks into his search for an apprentice, Sir Alan challenges the teams to set up their own photography business at a busy shopping centre on the outskirts of London. Charged with taking and selling photos, the teams must work together to rake in the money.

Episode 5

Mid-Series Sales

2008-04-23 • 60 min

It's down to the farm for our Apprentice wannabes, as the teams take on an ice cream making challenge. Alpha and Renaissance must make three new flavours, and then launch two of those products into the untapped London market. The team which secures the most orders, by value, will win.

Episode 6

Yours Truly, Angry Mob

2008-04-30 • 60 min

This week the two teams have to create a range of greetings cards for a new occasion. Three members of the loosing team end up in the board room with Sir Alan where one of them will be fired.

Episode 7

Marrakesh

2008-05-07 • 60 min

The candidates set off on a two-day business trip to Marrakesh, where they are challenged to find the best deals possible when buying 10 items in the city's markets. The budding entrepreneurs race against time and tempers flare as the deadline approaches.

Episode 8

Wedding Hell

2008-05-14 • 60 min

It's all about satin and sequins as Sir Alan Sugar sets both teams the challenge of selling wedding dresses at a wedding show at the Birmingham NEC. The candidates have just one day to visit specialist bridal businesses and select gowns that will be popular with brides-to-be at the show. Success in this task will depend on choosing the right products to sell - and with more than 300 exhibitors at the show, the competition is tougher than it's ever been before.

Episode 9

Tissues

2008-05-21 • 60 min

The candidates must design their own brand of tissues, and create both a TV commercial and printed advertisement in order to promote the product.

Episode 10

Re-inventing the Wheel

2008-05-27 • 60 min

The candidates must rent out expensive sports cars.

Episode 11

Interviews

2008-06-04 • 60 min

After facing ten tasks as teams, the five remaining candidates now compete as individuals in their next task – a series of tough, gruelling interviews with four of Sir Alan's most trusted associates.

Episode 12

The Final

2008-06-11 • 60 min

The remaining four candidates are split into two teams to develop and present a new type of fragrance. The teams are joined by former candidates, and with only the winning team able to get the chance to work with Sir Alan, they must overcome this final hurdle in a bid to become the next Apprentice.