Television presenter Angela Scanlon has lifted the lid on the festive chaos of The Celebrity Apprentice Christmas special, confessing that despite initial hopes, fellow contestant Thomas Skinner proved to be ‘no golden goose’.
The Lapland Challenge Goes 'Off the Rails'
In an exclusive interview with Metro, the 41-year-old broadcaster admitted the celebrity edition of the iconic business contest, which aired on BBC One and iPlayer on 29 and 30 December, went a ‘little off the rails’. Twelve celebrities were dispatched to Lapland with the task of creating and selling festive biscuits for Children in Need, a far cry from the usual battle for Lord Alan Sugar’s investment.
‘The truth is, none of us are looking for a job,’ Scanlon said, before joking, ‘or are we?’ She described the unique pressure of the boardroom, where Lord Sugar’s infamous ‘stink eye’ and dad jokes created an intimidating atmosphere. ‘You’re in the boardroom feeling like you really hope he’ll pick you for this nothing job,’ she revealed. ‘You don’t really want to be on the receiving end of his withering comments.’
Skinner's 'Sub-Standard' Directing and Gary the Penguin
Scanlon’s team initially believed they had a secret weapon in Thomas Skinner, the memorable ‘bosh’ merchant from a previous series of The Apprentice. ‘We referred to him as our golden goose from the get-go,’ she said. However, that confidence waned when Skinner took charge of directing their biscuit advert. Scanlon was blunt in her assessment: ‘I will say, it was sub-standard.’
Their creation was a festively-dressed penguin biscuit named Gary, a choice defended to Lord Sugar by comparing it to Marks & Spencer’s iconic Colin the Caterpillar. The gingerbread biscuit featured an unusual flavour combination of bubblegum, lemon, and black pepper. ‘We were encouraged to push the boat out and create something unusual. I think we stuck to the brief,’ Scanlon stated, though she advised potential buyers to ‘have a glass of milk close to you.’
Beyond the Boardroom: Strictly Hopes and Social Media
When asked about rumours she is on a shortlist of 10 potential hosts for Strictly Come Dancing, following chemistry tests, Scanlon expressed being ‘incredibly flattered’. She highlighted the significance of seeing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman leading the show when she first moved to the UK. ‘It lit a spark in me,’ she said, noting the contrast with male-dominated hosting in Ireland at the time.
This empowered female voice is something she actively promotes to her nearly half a million Instagram followers. ‘I think women for a very long time have been encouraged to stay quiet… I have never subscribed to that,’ she asserted, adding that motherhood to two daughters has solidified this belief. She even enjoys engaging with negative comments online, calling it ‘petty’ but good for her soul.
As for other reality TV ventures, Scanlon was less convinced. The idea of I’m A Celebrity held no appeal due to fears of ‘visuals forever of me projectile vomiting kangaroo balls’, while Celebrity Traitors was a no-go because her ‘face does not lie’.
Her ideal Christmas treat? Inspired by the film The Holiday, she dreams of ‘24 hours in a blackout room with no noise’ and one perfect Oprah-recommended pillow for a long, uninterrupted sleep – a festive wish many exhausted parents will undoubtedly share.
