I’M NEVER NOT ABOUT THE MONEY

The cancellation of this year’s Apprentice means no investment from Lord Sugar’s pocket, which sounds like a £250,000 saving, but it’s a missed opportunity to make serious money. A business survey estimated that the nine companies he’s invested in to date (with a 50 per cent stake) are worth a combined £8.3 million. Small change for a man who owns a yacht (the Sunday Times Rich List puts his wealth at £1.2 billion), but still a considerable profit.

So how have they been faring in the crisis? ‘Obviously Dr Leah Totton [who set up a string of cosmetic clinics after winning in 2013] had to shut down, but she’s up and running again,’ he says. ‘A lot of the companies that do food and cosmetics have been doing very well because people have been shopping online. Mark Wright [2014’s winner, who runs a digital marketing business] is doing well – people want to put ads online – as is Tom Pellereau [the 2011 winner, famous for his nail files].’

He chats, almost gently, about which of his protégés have had children, but let’s be honest, his biggest concern is the profits. ‘The Apprentice companies, as I call them, employ about 300 people now,’ he says. ‘So lives have been changed. But I’m never not about the money. It’s like the sun coming up, or it getting dark at night.’

Alan aboard his yacht, the Lady A