Series Five of The Apprentice was a British reality television series. The series began airing on BBC One on 25 March 2009 and ran for twelve weekly hour-long episodes, as in all previous years. Auditions and interviews took place during July 2008 in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham. There were fifteen participants; one more dropped out prior to the first boardroom briefing. Sir Alan Sugar, Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford made appearances, as in all previous series. Spin-off show The Apprentice: You're Fired! also returned, airing on BBC Two immediately after the main show.
Episode 1
The sixteen new candidates meet Sir Alan for the first time and receive their challenge. They have to start cleaning companies and make as much money as possible. At the end of the show the first of the hoepfuls is fired.
Episode 2
After a punishing first task, there is no let-up for the candidates, as Sir Alan challenges them to set up a catering service for busy professionals in the City of London. In tough economic times, the teams must agree a distinctive identity to stand out from the competition and win new customers.
Episode 3
This week the two teams have to create a new piece of portable gym equipment and create a poster advertising it. They then have to demonstrate the equipment. At the end of the show one of the candidates from the loosing show is fired by Sir Alan.
Episode 4
Week four of Sir Alan Sugars search for his apprentice. Sir Alan Sugar challenges the teams to set up their own cosmetics business.
Episode 5
The candidates are given the task of a new breakfast cereal with a brand identity including a name for the cereal, design for the box and film a TV campaign that will appeal both to the parents and the children.
Episode 6
The candidates are tasked with taking a collection of items given to them by Sir Alan Sugar and selling them for the most proffit.
Episode 7
Travelling north for their next challenge, each team must choose two innovative products, and then sell their choices to the right markets within two days.
Episode 8
Alan Sugar sends the candidates to Margate on the Kent coast, where they are challenged to produce an eye-catching series of posters and leaflets designed to attract tourists to the seaside resort.
Episode 9
The teams interview suppliers of baby equipment, select two products, and sell them on to a potential 10,000 customers at the country's biggest baby show.
Episode 10
The teams must select products which they believe will sell the best during an hour of live television. They must then sell these on-screen themselves.
Episode 11
There's no place to hide as the final five candidates face four of Sir Alan's trusted advisors in face-to-face interviews.
Episode 12
After facing a multitude of business tasks and a tough interview, the two finalists now face one more challenge – helped by old friends, each finalist must market a brand new box of chocolates, pitching their concept to a panel of business and chocolate experts.