Ranked: The most popular ever candidates from The Apprentice, by Instagram followers

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Over the years, The Apprentice has provided us with not just some great business minds and inventive plans, but some huge characters who have gone on to have massively successful careers. When you watch the contestants work hard on the show, and a lot of the time make a fool of themselves in the tasks, you can’t help but love some of them. Some of the biggest and most popular candidates from The Apprentice now boast huge amounts of followers on Instagram.

The team at Betway has gone through Instagram to identify which of the show’s past contestants have turned into social media stars. These are officially the most popular candidates there have ever been on The Apprentice, based on how many Instagram followers they have now.

10. Grainne McCoy – 92.3k

via Instagram @grainnemccoy_

In 10th is series 12 semi-finalist Grainne McCoy, who now has 92.3k Instagram followers. Grainne has made a name for herself in the make-up and cosmetics industry, founding and running her own beauty business, alongside providing make-up for the Cannes Film Festival and several high-end fashion shows.

9. Harpreet Kaur – 98.3k

via Instagram @harpsi_kaur

Harpreet became the 16th winner of The Apprentice in 2022, and has maintained her popularity with just shy of 100k Instagram followers to her name. She continues to operate her six-figure cakes and coffee business, Oh So Yum, with the backing of Lord Sugar himself – and she’s dating Akshay from her series, too!

8. Saira Khan – 102k

The most popular ever candidates from The Apprentice based on Instagram followers

via Instagram @iamsairakhan

You might forget that Saira Khan actually started out on The Apprentice. She’s now a regular on Loose Women and columnist for the Daily Mirror and Hello Magazine. Saira Khan was the runner-up in the very first series of the show, and now has 102k Instagram followers.

7. Sian Gabbidon – 117k

via Instagram @siangabbidon

In seventh is 2018 winner, Sian Gabbidon. She secured investment in her brand Sian Marie Fashion from Lord Sugar, and is now turning over a huge profit as her swimwear brand has expanded to loungewear and clothing, and is now stocked in ASDA stores and on ASOS. Sian boasts 117k Instagram followers.

6. Zeeshaan Shah – 117k

The most popular ever candidates from The Apprentice based on Instagram followers

via Instagram @zee

Despite not making it too far in the competition when he appeared on The Apprentice in 2013, Zee has still gone on to carve a very successful career for himself. He was fired after week five, but now has a number of companies and investments himself. Zeeshaan has 117k followers on Instagram.

5. Jemelin Artigas – 147k

via Instagram @jemelinartigas

In fifth is Jemelin Artigas, who appeared in the 2019 series. The award-winning motivational speaker has 147k Instagram followers. As well as business, Jamelin has had TV roles and has done modelling work.

4. Jennifer Zamparelli – 153k

The most popular ever candidates from The Apprentice based on Instagram followers

via Instagram @jenzamparelli

Just out of the top three most popular The Apprentice candidates is Jennifer Zamparelli, who has 153k Instagram followers. After being fired in week seven of series four, Jennifer now works as a radio host. She appeared on the show before she was married, when her name was Jennifer Maguire.

3. Thomas Skinner – 268k

via Instagram @iamtomskinner

Everyone’s fav pillow salesman and boshman, Thomas Skinner, is in third. He won our hearts in the 2019 series and now has 268k Instagram followers. Thomas went on to appear on Celebrity MasterChef and continues his various successful business endeavours, including Bosh Beds and The Fluffy Pillow Company.

2. Joseph Valente – 464k

Joseph Valente, who won the 2015 series, is one of the most successful candidates from The Apprentice, as well as the most popular. He won series 11 and then set up boiler installation company ImpraGas, which Valente says has turnover of £3million. He has 464k Instagram followers, and since the show has had a book released and started a podcast.

1. Luisa Zissman – 622k 

The most popular ever candidates from The Apprentice based on Instagram followers

via Instagram @luisazissman

Luisa is by far the most popular of all The Apprentice candidates on Instagram, with her huge follower count of 622k being nearly 200k more than any others. After finishing as runner-up on The Apprentice in 2013, Luisa went on to appear in Celebrity Big Brother where she reached fourth place. She has also run several successful businesses, including an online electronics store, a baking website and a cupcake shop, as well as dabbling in modelling.

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