Sir Alan's panel of interviewers grill the five remaining candidates in the Apprentice tonight

It's that time again - when the remaining Apprentice candidates are forced to reveal some uncomfortable truths about themselves. With just five contestants left in the show they take a break from making money and undergo intense evaluation from a team of interviewers.

Sir Alan, Nick and Margaret have watched the candidates over the past 11 tasks, constantly veering between triumph and disaster, seen them work in teams and got to know them as individuals.

By contrast, Sir Alan’s interviewers come to the candidates cold, as if they’d just walked in off the street clutching their CVs and application forms, which, of course, were written many months ago. 

Three of the panel of interviewers have appeared in previously series to interview the candidates: Bordan Tkachuk, CEO of computer and IT firm Viglen, which is one of Sir Alan’s companies, Claude Littner, Sir Alan’s former global trouble-shooter and Karren Brady, the managing director of Birmingham City Football Club. There is also a new face: Alan Watts, a litigation partner at Herbert Smith, well practised in telling whether people are telling the truth or not – so someone ideally suited to tonight’s interrogation process.

The panel will have to be at their probing best because the five remaining candidates all have very different strengths.

Tonight's penultimate episode will be broadcast on BBC One at 9.00pm. The final will air on Sunday, June 7th on BBC One at 9.00pm.