A rundown of all the love affairs and romance scandals to ever happen on The Apprentice

Never forget when Lottie Lion and Lewis Ellis shared a ‘night of passion’


The Apprentice isn’t exactly the sexiest of TV shows, with candidates constantly making fools of themselves in a desperate attempt to become Lord Sugar’s next business partner. But, that hasn’t stopped there being a number of rumoured love affairs and relationships start whilst The Apprentice cameras have been rolling.

Famously, there’s now a sex ban in The Apprentice house, because Lord Sugar wants to prevent relationships blossoming and getting in the way of the serious business. But some have slipped through the net. Here is a deep dive into all the rumoured love affairs, actual romances and real relationships that started on The Apprentice.

There was a full on SCANDAL in 2016 with four contestants!

All the love affairs romance scandals and relationships from The Apprentice over the years

Paul and Grainne, via BBC

Let’s get the wildest out the way, there was a reported full-blown sex scandal in 2016, with two couples in the house. Grainne McCoy and Paul Sullivan apparently kissed and Jessica Cunningham and Courtney Wood are also said to have “got close”. At the time, a source told The Mirror: “Both couples would suddenly disappear and there were several times they’d be found upstairs under the covers, kissing.” Production team researchers are said to have had to tell the boys to go back to their own beds.

Speaking of Grainne and Paul’s escapades, a source said: “They were flirting. Paul thought she had a really nice bum. That night in the house they left the others and kissed. After that it was a fairly regular thing. One night they were watching a romcom in Grainne’s bed and one of the production team had to tell them enough was enough.”

Later, Grainne said nothing was going on and Paul “wasn’t her type”. “Because Paul and I were the only two singles in the house of course people jump to conclusions,” she said.  “There was nothing going on between us… zero!”

Kate Walsh and Philip Taylor

All the love affairs romance scandals and relationships from The Apprentice over the years

via BBC

Philip Taylor was known for a few things during his time on The Apprentice. One of which being the famous “Pantsman” but also, he and Kate Walsh were one of the original couples to come from the show, stealing our hearts back in 2009.

Former estate agent Philip and businesswoman turned entertainment reporter Kate may have disagreed in the boardroom, when Kate got Philip fired, but after they show they announced they were an item. They quickly moved in together. “I didn’t get a job, but I did get Kate. I know that she is the one,” Philip told Grazia in an interview after the show. Cute.

There are mixed reports of when the couple actually called it quits, with it looking as though they may have split up not long after the show but then got back together. Philip reportedly said on Twitter that they were together until around 2018.

Harrison Jones and Michaela Wain

via BBC

It’s official: Harrison Jones and Michaela Wain are the parents of the first ever The Apprentice baby! They met on the show in 2017 and are still together today. A year after meeting on the show, Michaela posted on Instagram saying: “It’s been a tough ride but I’m super happy to say Grayson George Jones arrived 23/10/18 weighing 7lb2 and looking like a heart breaker. Absolutely in love.”

via Instagram @michaelawain1

In a recent post, Michaela called Harrison her “best friend” as they holidayed in the Maldives. A wholesome story!

Lottie Lion and Lewis Ellis

All the love affairs romance scandals and relationships from The Apprentice over the years

via BBC

In 2019, Lottie Lion and Lewis Ellis reportedly got together whilst filming for the show. They reportedly had a “night of passion” whilst they were filming a task abroad in Finland. They tried to keep it a secret but the other candidates soon found out.

A source said at the time: “It was no secret among hopefuls that Lottie and Lewis had a night of passion together while abroad on a task. They tried to keep it on the down-low but word soon spread. It was a little awkward for the rest of the show. Unlike a holiday romance they couldn’t escape seeing each other the next day. Romances do happen in the house, because everyone is living in such close quarters. While it’s frowned upon by production, bosses understand that it’s unavoidable, they just don’t want it to end up like Love Island.”

Jade English and James White

via BBC

Jade English and James White were another pair of The Apprentice 2017 candidates who hit the headlines with their supposed love affairs. Rumour had it the pair got together, despite James being engaged and Jade having a long-term boyfriend. “There was clearly an attraction from the beginning,” a source told The Sun at the time. “They’re both young and attractive people and they really got along during the process. They couldn’t resist getting to know each other that bit better during their time in the house. Afterwards they kept things going for a while, but relations have cooled off between them since filming ended.”

After news of their fling was reported, Jade broke up with her model boyfriend of three years and James broke off his engagement and split from his fiancee.

James Hill and Lauren Riley

All the love affairs romance scandals and relationships from The Apprentice over the years

via BBC

Whilst filming of season 10, it was revealed James Hill had been dating fellow candidate Lauren Riley. During the 2014 series it was reported they had a “full-on fling” whilst the show was going on. “It didn’t take [James] long to woo Lauren,” a source told The Sun. “They had a fairly full-on fling. They were always sneaking off.”

Related stories recommended by this writer:

The Apprentice millionaires: These are the richest people to come from the show

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

• The Apprentice winner sued Lord Sugar and only had £90 following show tribunal case