Meet the Apprentices MkV

A TANZANIAN beauty queen, an award-winning restaurateur and an ex-professional footballer are among the new batch of aspiring tycoons hoping to land a job with Sir Alan Sugar.

The Apprentice, the BBC's most popular annual reality contest, returns next week with a shock as one candidate whose identity has yet to be disclosed buckles under pressure and quits before Sir Alan's first briefing, leaving 15 contestants to battle it out.

The fifth series begins with the candidates having to operate a successful cleaning business.

From the offset Sir Alan warns the contestants: "I'm going to find out if you're the real deal or just a bunch of empty designer suits and dresses."

A source close to the show said that the series had taken a "more sensitive" tone because of the recession.

The source said: "The seriousness of the opportunity to work for (Sir Alan) and earn a six-figure salary will be emphasised given how many jobs have gone in the City over the last year."

Last year more than 10 million viewers tuned in to see Lee McQueen become the fourth apprentice. The show begins next Wednesday, 25 March, at 9pm on BBC One.

Tim Campbell, the winner of the first series of The Apprentice, is behind a drive to create opportunities for young Londoners and start up to 250 new businesses a year. Campbell, 31, wants to find entrepreneurs among 16 to 30-year-olds who are not in work, education and training but have a ideas for a new business. He left Amstrad two years ago.

1. Debra Barr, 24, senior sales consultant, from Surrey

Qualifications: BA in English Literature

Awarded "mouth of the year"' at her Christmas party. A "natural" saleswoman.

She says: "I only let the people that I can trust see the softer side of me."

2. Noorul Choudhury, 33, science teacher, from Rochdale

Qualifications: GTTP, CIM

Fashion-obsessed and aims to start up a men's tailoring business.

He says: "I've got the capabilities to deliver. I am not all talk."

3. Lorraine Tighe, 36, national accounts manager, from Kent

Qualifications: NHC in Business Studies

Mother-of-two left school at 16. Top sales person in every firm she has worked for.

She says: "I'm a single mum with no education and I've had a very hard time."

4. Yasmina Siadatan, 27, restaurateur, from London

Qualifications: BSc Economic History With Population Studies

An award-winning restaurant owner and marathon runner.

She says: "Business is about a simple formula. Make more than you spend. That's what I do."

5. Kate Walsh, 27, licensing development manager, from Hampshire

Qualifications: BSc in Psychology and Management

An indie-music lover who enjoys snowboarding. Admires the "ballsy" Sex And The City character Samantha.

She says: "I've always excelled academically and I have really achieved within a corporate environment."

6. Kimberly Davis, 33, marketing consultant, from London

Qualifications: BA in Music Management

Born in The Bronx, New York, she performed Mozart at Carnegie Hall, danced onstage at Disney World.

She says: "I bring honesty and integrity to the table, I don't lie, cheat or backstab. I am not the stereotypical New Yorker."

7. Phillip Taylor, 29, estate agent, from County Durham

Qualifications: NEBS Certificate in Management

Considers himself to be a nice guy.

He says: "Business is the new rock'*'roll and I'm Elvis Presley"

8. Howard Ebison, 24, retail business manager, from Derby

Qualifications: CIMA Part-qualified accountant. BSc (Hons) Maths and Business Studies

An award-winning dancer, self-trained musician and area manager of 10 pubs

He says: "If I don't go far down this route I shall go far down another route."

9. Rocky Andrews, 21, sandwich chain owner, from North Yorkshire

Qualifications: N/A

Youngest candidate who already earns more than the £100,000 Apprentice salary. Left school at 16 to join Middlesbrough FC but had arthritis. Set up a sandwich business at 17 and has 14 shops.

He says: "Business is about being willing to make mistakes and learning from them."

10. Paula Jones, 29, human resource consultant, from Walsall

Qualifications: Masters Degree in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management

An academic with a love for interior design. At 18, a four star sergeant in the Army cadets.

She says: "I am the girl with a plan. I have great wit and strength of character, and I am resilient to the core."

11. Majid "Maj" Nagra, 28, business development manager, from Coventry

Qualifications: BSc Computer science

Expelled from school but now works with youth centres and charities while running his own car hire business.

He says: "Business is the backbone to this world."

12. Anita Shah, 35, business strategist, from Birmingham

Qualifications: LLB in Law & Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Hopes to launch business providing emotional, psychological, spiritual therapy.

She says: "I can deal with questions and make impactful statements. Many lawyers can't. People want to chat with me."

13. Ben Clarke,22, trainee stockbroker, from Belfast

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Economics & Business

Rebellious, considers himself to be ruthless and money-obsessed. Once worked as a Gavin Henson lookalike.

He says: "Making money is better than sex."

14. James McQuillan, 32, senior commercial manager, from Surrey

Qualifications: MA Hons in Economics

Lives: Surrey

Part time football and former child chess champion.

He says: "I'm astute and shrewd and smart maybe blunt at times."

15. Mona Lewis, 28, senior financial manager, from Kent

Qualifications: A-levels

Former Tanzanian beauty queen and mother-of-one.

She says: "I knew I would be selected, not to sound big-headed."