This is the first series I've watched so sorry if this has all been discussed and is common knowledge!

When is tje apprentice filmed? And how do they keep the results a secret?

I always assumed it was only a few weeks behind but Stuart said he was a year older on the programme with Dara O Briain...

Thanks!

It was filmed around this time last year. The series was originally meant to have aired around March time, but they postponed it because Sir Alan becoming a lord.

Chris and Stella both went on a trial period in his company after filming the final. I don't know how long that lasted though, but one would assume they are still there now. The winner supposedly isn't chosen until around about now - a few days before the final goes out on TV.

The final boardroom is actually a pretence. They film both finalists "winning" and air the appropriate one when the time comes.

I believe the seventh series has recently finished filming, but we won't see any of it for a long time yet.

Thanks!...that's a long time to keep things quiet.

I don't want to know...but is it widely known who wins?

The current series of the Apprentice was filmed in late 2009. It was supposed to air earlier this year, but due to Sir Alan becoming a Lord right before the General Elections, broadcasts had to be put on hold.

Apparently, Chris and Stella don't even find out until around about now. They may not even know yet.

Oh I think they do.

So they've waited a whole year!?! That's crazy!

I presume he must have been paying them, as they gave up their jobs!

All other finalists from past series claim they didn't know until a few days before transmission. I don't see why this year would be any different.

That being said, I bet they have a pretty good idea in their heads of whether its them or not.

wff it was a year ago i had no idea how could it be that long ago?

btw does this mean they are currently filming next years apprentice?

Now i think you may be wrong there!, i am sure i saw/heard that the next series will be shown in March as usual it was just this years one that was delayed because of the 'Lordship' and General Election coming at the same time.....

Hope i'm right anyway!.........

Yes, it will be shown in Spring as usual, but it has already been filmed.

Ooh I really hope so! It'd make up for the hellish year and bit wait between Series 5 + 6

The only thing is, their doing Junior Apprentice again, and I've heard that's having an extended run, so maybe they'll show that in March, and then main series next Autumn. I don't know

It is all a bit of a fraud though - Sir Alan should make his mind up based on the tasks and the final task in particular during the show. In reality his decision is based on what they have done for him in real life for the last 12 months working for his company.

Sort of undermines the entire point of the show!

Oh surely not?

They did it for series 3. I'm not sure whether they've done it since.

This was what I was going to say.! Surely they would have to be pretty good actors to carry that off?!

Not really. In each case all they have to do is imagine it's for real.

They'll have finished filming by now. They started in September, so probably finished early November. Eg they were seen filming on the 28th October in Covent Garden.

Does this mean just the two of them have been living in 52 Bedford Square all year? Nice

What is remarkable about the Apprentice is how few leaks and spoilers there are considering it is filmed so far in advance. Well done to the BBC and the contestants for keeping quiet. Even the newspapers play along.

I could be wrong, but I believe the final was recorded yesterday. (Thursday 17th Dec)

I presume so, I also wonder if all the candidates are paid for the duration of the filming as most have given up their jobs.