The Apprentice contestants revealed

It's that time of year again when 15 egotistical, tycoon wannabes enter Sir Alan Sugar's boardroom (or rather pretend offices in a TV studio) for the self-proclaimed ultimate job interview. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, The Apprentice is back!

If like me, you're a Suralan-addict, you won't be going out on Wednesdays for the next couple of months as you settle down to watch the antics on BBC One!

Looking at the recently released trailer, we're set for some fun. Once you get over the 1980s-esque Miami Vice-style neon background, it's pretty dark stuff!

Earlier today, the BBC released details of this year's victims and as usual it's spattered with young entrepreneurs who left school with no qualifications to take on the world, single mothers who have battled adversity to get a good job, salespeople who have won employee of the minute at every company they've worked for and those oh so arrogant quotes.

My favourite comes from Phillip Taylor: "Business is the new rock 'n' roll and I'm Elvis Presley". Classic! Forget 'Helping you to start and grow your business', that's the new tagline for BusinessZone.co.uk! Taylor is an estate agent. I'm saying nothing.

Another contestant to keep an eye on is the man who definitely has the best name of the series: 21-year-old entrepreneur Rocky Andrews. The owner of a 14 strong chain of sandwich shops in the North East already earns more than the £100,000 Apprentice salary apparently; odds on that's the first area Sir Al concentrates on during his initial dealings with our Rocky.

Elsewhere, I predict Lorraine Tighe will do well. There's nothing Mr Sugar likes better than someone who has battled family adversity to succeed - look at Michelle Dewberry. Enter Ms Tighe. "I've fought against all the odds," she says. "I'm a single mum with no education and I've had a very hard time." Time to put money on her making it through to the later stages.

Also on the list, and this must be a first, is a former beauty queen. Karachi-born Mona Lewis will be strutting her stuff in the boardroom although I assume not in a swimsuit. It's quite possible though she will say she wants to save the world. Not wanting to sound big-headed, she told the beeb, "I knew I would be selected". That's the attitude!

New Yorker Kimberly Davis meanwhile is likely to be the first to get fired because, guess what, she doesn't lie, cheat or backstab! Has she not seen The Apprentice before?! Integrity gets you nowhere!

The other contestants:

Anita Shah, a 35-year-old law graduate and business strategist, is inspired by Dragons' Den panellist James Caan and loves a game of cricket. "I can deal with questions and make impactful statements," she says. "Many lawyers can't. People want to chat with me."

Belfast born Ben Clarke is a trainee stockbroker and a "former" Gavin Henson lookalike (can't see it myself!). He cites Hugh Heffner as his most admired business figures and admits to being 'cocky'. "To me making money is better than sex," he proclaims.

Senior sales consultant Debra Barr was awarded 'mouth of the year' at her Christmas party (what joy!). Inspired by Bill Gates and Richard Branson (that's original!), she had a reading age of six when she was 10 and studied English Literature at university.

Howard Ebison is a part-qualified accountant who "thrives in managerial positions". As a child, he got sacked from his paper round job and despised working in a fish and chip shop. Family orientated (tick from Sir Al), he says: "If I don't go far down this route I shall go far down another route."

Senior commercial manager (what's one of them then?) James McQuillan describes himself as a "schmoozer" who people feel comfortable around. Al Pacino and JK Rowling are his inspiration (more original) and he has worked as a labourer, trolley collector and bouncer before finding his "niche" in commercial management. He would also have loved to have written The A-Team. Oh dear.

Psychology graduate Kate Walsh regets applying to Oxbridge (that doesn't mean she would have been accepted!) and admires the "ballsey" approach to business of Sex & The City's Samantha. "My CV speaks for itself," she says. "I've always excelled academically and I have really achieved within a corporate environment."

Reformed rebel Majid Nagra now works as a business development manager. Describing his attitude as 'never say die', he loves to be in the spotlight (he has picked the right show!). His quote: "Without companies buying and selling there wouldn't be any economy." Wow, I never knew that!

Noorul Choudhury surely must be the first teacher to be up for job. Believing that Argos should be banned from selling jewellery (that's a bit random!), he hopes to one day become a property millionaire.

Paula Jones is a 29-year-old HR consultant who has a love for interior design (this year's Lucinda perhaps?). Describing herself as "the girl with the plan", Jones admits to liking being liked and shying away from conflict.

And finally, Yasmina Siadatan is another Richard Branson and Bill Gates fan (be original people!) who runs a restaurant established by her father. Another person who likes to state the obvious: "Business is about a simple formula. Make more than you spend", Siadatan describes herself as dominating yet adaptable.

The Apprentice is on BBC One at 9pm every Wednesday starting on 25 March. BusinessZone.co.uk will blog about every episode.

The Pitch 2009 is going on the road to track down Britain's best small business. Entrepreneurs in five UK cities will compete for the chance to take part in a grand final in London during Enterprise Week where the winner will walk away with a package of business prizes worth £50,000! For more details and to take part, click here.