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
‘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
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)
‘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
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
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
Place: London
Flo revealed she had started her own consultancy, leaving her ready to take on Lord Sugar.
Foluso Falade
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
Occupation: Owner, yoga company
Place: Wexford
Maura incorporates the advantage of being a yoga teacher into her appearance.
Noor Bouziane
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
