BBC Apprentice star spills secrets on ‘banned’ item, sleeping arrangements and payments

The Apprentice makes a return to TV tonight with a host of brand new hopefuls hoping to impress . They, as long with viewers at home, may be apprehensive about what goes on behind the scenes to make the entrepreneur show as successful as it is. 

One person who knows exactly what happens in the boardroom and beyond is 2023 alumni, . The Scottish businessman failed to face the final boardroom when taking part as a contestant two series ago, as he suddenly disappeared from filming.

At the time, it had been reported that the theatre school owner was told to leave by producers after drinking too much alcohol while on the flight to Dubai. But Reece has since spoken out, saying that he actually left due to “medical issues”.

Now he has spilled some of the show’s secrets, including whether they’re paid even if they don’t win, one item they aren’t allowed and how sleep and diet impacts their time on the programme. 

Speaking on behalf of when asked if they’re paid, the theatre school owner exclusively told : “I was so thankful I was looked after. Obviously, I had to leave the show early and there was a bit of subsidisation for me. So I was okay.

“I still got a bit of mentorship at the show, so I still deal with one of the advisors, who’s amazing and a really good help to me, but everybody’s story is different.”

He also shared that there is one item that contestants aren’t allowed during their time on The Apprentice and he thought it would make his journey harder, but was surprised to find it was actually somewhat life-changing. 

Reece explained: “You’re not allowed your phone. The whole time on there, you don’t have your phone. No phone at all. So you can’t contact your family or anything when you’re there.”

“I will say for me, I thought I was going to really struggle but it was the best thing I’ve ever done,” he added. “Because I came back to my business in such a different light and because I never had the stress or the pressure of people asking me for anything.

“And when I came back, I was such a different employer. It was like I’d learnt to let go.”

The TV star, who once also appeared in Waterloo Road, shared that the cast members have long filming days and the exhaustion is real. He said: “I can’t emphasise like, nothing will prepare you for how tired you are, and your brain starts to go like mashed potatoes.

“And then they suddenly go, why can you not think and you go, ‘well, I’ve not slept. I’ve been eating Haribos!'”