Mia Collins has exited BBC's The Apprentice after a surprising double elimination that saw her and fellow contestant Liam Snellin fired during the latest episode on April 3, 2025. The departure marks the end of a remarkable journey for Collins, who was considered a contender for the final five after demonstrating strong performance throughout the ten-week competition.
During the latest challenge, the contestants were tasked with launching an environmentally conscious and sustainable fashion brand. Collins played a significant role in the task, persuading project manager Jordan Dargan to design a crop top and skirt for men, a bold move she defended in the boardroom. "If we turned up with cargo trousers or a boxy T-shirt, how are we differentiating ourselves and showing you can be empowered no matter what you wear?" she argued, emphasizing the importance of self-expression in fashion.
Despite the team's creative efforts, which included a jacket with a colorful cape, they ultimately secured only six out of eight retailers, resulting in a total of £1,160 in sales. The opposing team, however, achieved a higher total of £2,150, leading to the shocking double elimination.
Reflecting on her time in the competition, Collins expressed her disappointment at not making it to the final five. "I feel like I've let people down a little bit, but I just want everyone to know that I'm so thankful for all of the support," she said. "You enter the process thinking you want to win it. For me, I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason, and so maybe it's a good thing that my business plan wasn't scrutinized."
Collins, who came into the competition as a reserve, acknowledged the challenges she faced against contestants with established businesses. "If you look at who I was up against, I was the only one that didn't have an operational business. So I think at that point, that’s when the businesses start being considered," she explained. "For me to come sixth without a business, that's still a huge win."
As she moves forward, Collins has launched a new sales coaching business called Prep and Perform. Her goal is to use coaching methodologies based on high-performance athlete-level discipline and a sporting mindset to teach sales skills to corporate teams. "I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes," she said, expressing excitement about her new venture.
Collins also shared that receiving a compliment from Lord Sugar about her sales efforts was a highlight of her time on the show. "To now have a sales coaching business with that under my belt, I'm proud that something I am passionate about was recognized by arguably the person whose opinion matters the most in the process," she said.
In the wake of her departure, Collins revealed that she had cried for weeks following the elimination but remained grateful for the experience. "I never expected to get as far as I did because I was a reserve. I've learned so much about myself, and I've had such amazing support," she commented.
The competition continues as the remaining five candidates—Amber-Rose Badrudin, Anisa Khan, Chisola Chitambala, Jordan Dargan, and Dean Franklin—prepare for the crucial interviews stage next week. Lord Sugar will select the two finalists who will have the chance to secure a £250,000 investment in their businesses.
As the show progresses, the remaining contestants are feeling the pressure to impress Lord Sugar and his advisors. Badrudin, reflecting on her journey, stated, "It’s one of the proudest moments of my life, to be honest. I had kind of set a goal going into the process that I really wanted to make the interview stage, and I was laser-focused on getting there."
Khan, who had previously faced multiple losses, expressed her surprise at making it to the final five, saying, "I thought he was going to fire me because obviously at that point that was my eighth loss and compared to everyone else, I had the most losses."
As the drama unfolds, viewers are left wondering who will emerge victorious in the penultimate episode of The Apprentice. The remaining contestants are gearing up for the toughest interviews of their lives, hoping to impress Lord Sugar and secure their chance at success.
With the competition heating up, the stakes have never been higher. The remaining candidates are not only competing for the investment but also for the opportunity to partner with one of the UK's most successful business figures. As the final episodes approach, the excitement and tension are palpable, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the outcomes.
The Apprentice continues to air on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with viewers keen to see how the final stages of the competition unfold. For Collins, while her journey on the show may have ended, her entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly as she embarks on her new venture in sales coaching.
