You might think: “If I were a billionaire, would I bother with this TV malarkey?” The answer is probably yes, because ego is a hell of a drug. Lord Sugar has openly said he loves being the “tough boss” figure. Plus, the show keeps his name in the spotlight for his other ventures, like property or his family’s electronics firm.
But let’s be real: he could retire tomorrow to a yacht in Monaco. Instead, he chooses to sit in a boardroom with candidates who think selling fish-flavoured ice cream is a good idea. That’s not just commitment — that’s paying for therapy with a TV budget.
The Final Tally
So, to wrap up: Lord Sugar gets paid approximately £1 million per series for being the big boss on The Apprentice. That’s about £100,000 per episode, plus all the free exposure that makes his business empire grow. Not too shabby for a bloke who started off selling car aerials out of a van.
Next time you see him fire someone for making a bad PowerPoint, just remember: he’s probably spending that episode’s fee on a new Aston Martin. And you? You’re nursing a cup of instant coffee, wondering if you should apply for the show. Maybe skip it — unless you fancy becoming a free advert for his bank account.
