How to watch 'The Apprentice' season 18 online for free — stream from anywhere

Cue the braggadocio: Lord Alan Sugar is back at the helm of the U.K. version of "The Apprentice" and ready to put 18 new entrepreneurs through the grinder. The season 18 candidates include a pair of doctors and pie moguls.

Read on below for how to watch "The Apprentice" season 18 online for free. And, should you find yourself away from home, you can stream the series from anywhere with a VPN.

Like rats in a sack, the thrill of seeing a chancer attempt to bluff and bluster their way to Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment, only to be cut to size in the boardroom, never gets old. Most of this year's candidates have testified that they've never set a foot wrong in their professional lives, which bodes well from a viewing perspective.

Some of the more eye-catching details include Dr Asif Munaf previously appearing on "Dragons' Den" (the U.K.'s answer to "Shark Tank"), sales exec Oliver Medforth insisting that he has never and will never lift a finger unless there's something in it for him, and management consultant Steve Darken once having a film screened at Cannes Film Festival.

But how will they fare under the unrelenting glare of a camera crew and Karren Brady? Read our guide below for how to watch "The Apprentice" season 18 online and from anywhere in the world.

Watch 'The Apprentice' season 18 online for FREE

How to watch 'The Apprentice' S18 online for FREE in the U.K.

"The Apprentice" season 18 returns to U.K. screens on BBC One at 9 p.m. GMT on Thursday, February 1. Further instalments of the 12-episode season will air in the same slot each week.

You can also stream episodes live or on-demand on the Beeb's FREE platform, BBC iPlayer. Just note that you’ll need a valid TV license to watch any live broadcast.

The Apprentice's sister show, "You’re Fired" with Tom Allen, airs immediately after each episode, at 10pm on on BBC Two.

Traveling outside the U.K.? Don't worry — as we explain below, you can unblock BBC iPlayer and watch from anywhere when you download a VPN.

Watch from anywhere

How to watch 'The Apprentice' season 18 online from anywhere with a VPN

Currently traveling in a country where BBC iPlayer isn’t available? With the right VPN (Virtual private network), you can continue to access your usual platforms and watch your favorite shows online no matter where in the world you are.

We've evaluated many options, and the best VPN is ExpressVPN. It meets the VPN needs of the vast majority of users, offering outstanding compatibility with most devices and impressive connection speeds. It's also affordable at $12.95 per month. (Signing up for longer periods of six months or a year reduces the cost even more down to a minimum of $6.67).

Safety, speed and simplicity combine to make ExpressVPN our favorite VPN service. It's also compatible with loads of devices and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to try it out.

Check out the 12-month plan for the best value.

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Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, ExpressVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to BBC iPlayer and stream new episodes of "The Apprentice" season 18 online.

Can you watch 'The Apprentice' U.K. season 18 in the U.S., Australia or elsewhere?

"The Apprentice" U.K. is one of dozens of international versions of the show that was first popularized by Donald Trump, and as such, the British series hasn't ventured beyond Blighty.

However, if you're U.K. citizen travelling abroad, there's still a way to connect to BBC iPlayer from anywhere, and stream hit shows like "The Apprentice" U.K. season 18 online no matter where you are. All you need is a VPN such as ExpressVPN.

'The Apprentice' season 18 candidates

• Amina Khan, 32, pharmacist and business owner
• Dr Asif Munaf, 34, wellness brand owner
• Flo Edwards, 29, recruitment consultant
• Foluso Falade, 25, project manager
• Jack Davies, 29, recruitment director
• Maura Rath, 32, yoga company owner
• Noor Bouziane, 22, jewellery company owner
• Oliver Medforth, 27, sales executive
• Onyeka Nweze, 25, chartered company secretary
• Paul Bowen, 34, pie company director
• Dr Paul Midha, 29, dental group owner
• Phil Turner, 37, pie company owner
• Rachel Woolford, 27, boutique fitness studio owner
• Raj Chohan, 41, mortgage broker
• Sam Saadet, 33, perinatal fitness coach
• Steve Darken, 37, management consultant
• Tre Lowe, 48, musician and wellness entrepreneur
• Virdi Singh Mazaria, 24, music producer

Watch 'The Apprentice' season 18 trailer

To whet your appetite (for blood), check out "The Apprentice" season 18 trailer below:

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