| The Apprentice | |
|---|---|
| Series 5 | |
_series_5&sq=&lang=&file=File:S5Candidates.jpg) Promo group shot of Alan Sugar standing before the candidates for series 5 | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC One |
| Original release | 25 March – 7 June 2009 |
| Series chronology | |
The fifth series of British reality television series The Apprentice (UK) was broadcast in the UK on BBC One, from 25 March to 7 June 2009;[1] because of ITV's live coverage of a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match involving England, the final episode was broadcast three days earlier to avoid clashing with this. It is the last series to feature Margaret Mountford as one of Alan Sugar's aides, after deciding to leave following the conclusion of the fifth series to focus on her education, although she would retain a place in the programme until the end of the ninth series. Alongside the standard twelve episodes, two specials were aired alongside this series – "The Final Five" on 3 June; and "Why I Fired Them" on 5 June.
Although sixteen applicants successfully earned a place on this series, one participant was forced to drop out before filming began,[2] leaving production staff unable to replace them.[3] As a result, fifteen candidates were left to take part in the fifth series,[4] with Yasmina Siadatan becoming the overall winner. Excluding the specials, the series averaged around 8.37 million viewers during its broadcast.
- ^ "BBC Press Office – The Apprentice". BBC. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
- ^ "The Apprentice – The job interview from hell just got tougher..." BBC. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
- ^ BBC News: Sir Alan apprentice 'bottles it'
- ^ Holmwood, Leigh (17 March 2009). "'Making money is better than sex' – the Apprentice is back". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 March 2009.