Former flight attendant Victoria Goulbourne and safari guide Joe Phillips fought it out in the first episode of series 17 of The Apprentice, which took place on Antigua.

Viewers tuned in on Thursday night to watch 18 hopefuls battle it out on the BBC show, which sees candidates whittled down until one wins a £250,000 investment and the opportunity to work with businessman Lord Sugar.

Putting themselves forward as Project Managers were former Emirates stewardess Victoria, who started an online sweet business during lockdown, and safari guide Joe, who describes himself as the ‘James Bond of the business world’.

Victoria told BBC producers she was confident her new business venture ‘would fly’ with Lord Sugar’s investment.

The teams flew off to Antigua and were given the task of promoting island tours and excursions to paying holidaymakers.

The women’s team picked a catamaran ride while the men chose a cultural, historic tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Nelson’s Dockyard.

Spoiler alert…

Victoria’s team ended up in the boardroom after losing the task and she came close to being the first in series 17 to be told: “You’re fired.”

The real winner was the island of Antigua, which got the opportunity to showcase attractions such as Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights to a peak audience.

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Director of Tourism UK Cherrie Osborne said: “We are absolutely delighted to share the culmination of years of planning and hard work and would like to thank all our partners who worked together to make this partnership a reality.

“After two years of travel restrictions tourism has never been more important, and so inspiring travel to Antigua and Barbuda is not only a top priority for the tourism board, but imperative to the islands’ successful growth and recovery.

“Antigua and Barbuda will star in one of the UK’s most popular TV shows and this exciting episode will be sure to inspire millions of British travellers to visit the destination for years to come.”