The search for Lord Sugar's next business partner begins, and this year the challenges are bigger and better than ever. Lord Sugar has already invested his own money in eight businesses, and he is now ready to take a gamble on a brand new venture. The 16 hopeful candidates will be whittled down over the next 12 weeks until only one remains. To demonstrate just how much is at stake, Lord Sugar summons the aspiring entrepreneurs to his boardroom, where he kicks off proceedings with something he has never done before.

Under the scrutiny of Karren Brady and Claude Littner, the candidates are tasked with tackling their first challenge abroad. The teams fly to Valletta in Malta, for a day-long shopping spree. The challenge is to bag nine Maltese items for the lowest possible prices before reuniting at the airport at 7pm.

One team quickly hits the road, but they are clearly on the wrong track. On the other team, fiery personality clashes over negotiations quickly rock the boat. As both teams navigate their way to the finish, one takes a punt by returning with items missing, while disregarding the deadline leaves the others facing mutiny.

In a heated first boardroom, Lord Sugar doles out hefty fines and on the losing team and someone becomes the first to be fired. Show less