The Apprentice’s Karren Brady speaks of excitement at becoming a first-time grandmother and reveals the secret to her successful 28-year marriage to footballer Paul Peschisolido

She is known for taking a no-holds-barred approach when it comes to putting The Apprentice hopefuls to the test on the show.

And as she prepares to return to screen next week in the upcoming eighteenth series, Karren Brady has given fans a glimpse into her warm family life.

The 54-year-old businesswoman will become a grandmother for the first time in the coming weeks, as her social media influencer daughter Sophia Peschisolido and her fiancé Frankie Makin prepare for the arrival of a baby.

Karren, who has been married to ex-footballer Paul Peschisolido, 52, for 28 years, has also opened up about what she believes is the key to her long and successful marriage.

Karren talked about being a practical grandmother to her future grandchild The sun: ‘Oh, wild horses couldn’t keep me away’

As Karren Brady prepares to return to screen next week in the upcoming eighteenth series of The Apprentice, she has given fans a glimpse into her warm family life

Karren, who has been married to ex-footballer Paul Peschisolido, 52 (pictured), for 28 years, has also opened up about what she thinks is the key to her long and successful marriage

Karren, who has been married to ex-footballer Paul Peschisolido, 52 (pictured), for 28 years, has also opened up about what she thinks is the key to her long and successful marriage

‘I’m really looking forward to it, and Sophia and her fiancé are so excited.

“She’s safe and sound, she’s touching wood, and everything is ready and prepared. It’s going to be great – the first grandchild in the family.’

Karren, CEO of West Ham United Football Club and Small Business Ambassador to the British Government, has been Lord Alan Sugar’s sidekick on The Apprentice since 2009.

Although Karren is believed to be worth around £90million, her husband Paul enjoyed a spell in management after retiring from football in 2008.

Of their marriage, Karen said, “My husband is my best friend. Our careers went something like this (she points in different directions).

‘When the kids were younger, he was a footballer who traveled all over the world and I was at home. And when he retired I moved to London to manage West Ham.

‘We have always been there for each other and supported each other. There was never any jealousy or one-upmanship or anything like that.”

‘What we have in common is the complete love for both of our children, and their health and well-being are at the heart of everything we do.’

Karren will become a grandmother for the first time in the coming weeks as her influencer daughter Sophia Peschisolido (pictured) prepares to welcome a baby

Karren will become a grandmother for the first time in the coming weeks as her influencer daughter Sophia Peschisolido (pictured) prepares to welcome a baby

Sophia announced the happy news of her pregnancy on her Instagram last year with a montage of sweet snaps with her fiancé Frankie Makin (photo)

Sophia announced the happy news of her pregnancy on her Instagram last year with a montage of sweet snaps with her fiancé Frankie Makin (photo)

It comes after Karren insisted she would leave The Apprentice if Lord Alan does.

She has quashed speculation that she could take over from the 76-year-old entrepreneur if he ever leaves the business show on BBC One, saying she only appears on the program because she ‘really believes in’ her boyfriend Lord Sugar.

She told me Daily mirror: ‘It’s not a discussion he and I have ever had, but as long as he does it, I’ll do it, and if he leaves, I’ll leave, because I’m doing it for him.

‘I don’t do it to be on TV. There’s nothing scarier than being 54 and seeing your face on a 50-inch television screen, I assure you!

“I’m doing it because I genuinely believe in him, I like him, I enjoy the show and the team around it is fantastic.”

But Karren – who acts as Lord Sugar’s assistant on the show alongside former Apprentice winner Tim Campbell – is confident the businessman and the show will continue for ‘a long time to come’.

She added: “But I think the question of how long he will continue is a question for him.

Karren is gearing up for the 18th series of the show, and she has teased fans that the upcoming candidates are the 'highest qualified' to ever appear on the series (L-R: Karren, Lord Alan Sugar and Tim Campbell)

Karren is gearing up for the 18th series of the show, and she has teased fans that the upcoming candidates are the ‘highest qualified’ to ever appear on the series (L-R: Karren, Lord Alan Sugar and Tim Campbell)

‘But a long time, I hope. I mean, there’s no reason why he wouldn’t.”

Karren is gearing up for the 18th series of the show and she has teased fans that the upcoming contestants are the ‘highest qualified’ to ever star in the series.

She said: ‘I think from that perspective the bar is really high, but with high standards and good performers also comes a high ego!’

The Apprentice returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Thursday 1 February at 9pm.

THE STUDENT 2024: MEET THE CANDIDATES

Amina Khan

1706366365 463 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Pharmacist and entrepreneur

Place: Ilford

Amina has been a qualified pharmacist for over ten years and in that time she has built a successful skin care and supplement business.

Flo Edwards

1706366367 802 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Recruitment Consultant

Place: London

Flo revealed she had started her own consultancy, leaving her ready to take on Lord Sugar.

Foluso Falade

1706366368 0 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Project Manager

Place: Manchester

Foluso bills herself as the ‘Mary Poppins of business’ and revealed her aim is to run the first social enterprise to secure Lord Sugar’s investment.

Maura Rath

1706366370 328 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Owner, yoga company

Place: Wexford

Maura incorporates the advantage of being a yoga teacher into her appearance.

Noor Bouziane

1706366371 661 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Owner, Jewelry Company

Place: Liverpool

Ambitious premium jewelry company owner Noor claimed that she will generate a wealth of money for Lord Sugar thanks to the uniqueness of her business.

Onyeka Nweze

1706366373 955 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Chartered Company Secretary

Place: London

Onyeka revealed that her plan will be Lord Sugar’s first technology business investment in eighteen series.

Rachel Woolford

1706366375 837 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Owner of boutique fitness studio

Place: Leeds

Rachel has been business-minded from a very young age and has extensive experience in managing her work independently. In addition to her hard work in the office, she also shares her fitness successes on social media, including running the New York Marathon in 2019.

Raj Chohan

1706366377 38 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Mortgage broker

Place: Leamington Spa

Raj admits that even though she’s a creep, she’s determined to have fun while working, as illustrated on her fun Instagram account. As a self-proclaimed ‘dog with a bone’, she wants to make a gap in the market in achieving her goals and will do whatever it takes for success.

Sam Saadet

1706366379 711 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Pre- and postnatal fitness coach

Place: Essex

Sam revealed that her friends call her a real Del Boy because of her “part-wheeler dealer” and her eye for a bargain. She is an online fitness coach with a focus on mothers and expectant mothers and hopes to prove her business brains to Lord Sugar.

Dr. Asif Munaf

1706366381 619 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Owner, Wellness Brand

Place: Sheffield

Asif boldly describes himself as ‘Beauty, Brains, Body and Business’ on his CV. The qualified doctor’s business plan focuses on vitamins and supplements.

Jack Davis

1706366384 436 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Director of Recruitment

Place: Bristol

In addition to his work as a recruitment director, Jack also acts as a food critic, making him ready for challenges with diverse knowledge and skills.

Oliver Medforth

1706366386 112 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Sales Director

Place: Yorkshire

Oliver’s background in market selling means he is looking forward to familiar sales tasks. He is often seen plugging his wares on social media, especially his gin range.

Paul Bowen

1706366389 550 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Director Pie Company

Place: Lancashire

As one of two cake company experts taking part in the trial, Paul takes pride in serving major clients such as Manchester City Football Club.

Dr. Paul Midha

1706366391 161 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Owner Dental Group

Place: Leeds

Paul started his practice using whatever resources he had. Paul is used to learning extensively through his studies as a dentist and is convinced of Lord Sugar’s investment and everything he can teach him about the business world.

Phil Turner

1706366393 298 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Owner Pie Company

Place: Bognor Regis

Phil was named ‘Supreme Pie Champion’ in 2020 for his family pie business, which dates back to the 1930s. He hopes to prove himself to Lord Sugar and start making real money for him.

Steve Dark

1706366396 766 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Management advisor

Place: London

Steve claims he shares Lord Sugar’s sharp mind and sense of humor. As an advisor to ‘some of the largest companies in the world’, he is ready to take on the boardroom.

Tre Lowe

1706366398 172 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Music and wellness entrepreneur

Place: London

Tre has had his previous taste of fame, including in the British garage band called Architechs. His Instagram account is a who’s who of the showbiz world, including photos with Simon Cowell and Emily Ratajkowski.

Virdi Singh Mazaria

1706366400 166 I won The Apprentice and Im sick of being compared

Occupation: Music producer

Place: Leicester

DJ Virdi wants to introduce Lord Sugar to the world he has yet to invest in: music. His life is certainly filled with luxury as he regularly shares photos on flash vacations and in front of expensive cars.