The Apprentice 2012: meet the candidates

Apprentice 2012 female competitors (left to right): Laura Hogg, Maria O'Connor, Jenna Whittingham, Jane McEvoy, Bilyana Apostolova, Gabrielle Omar, Katie Wright, Jade Nash Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

This year's male contestants (left to right): Michael Copp, Azhar Siddique, Nick Holzherr, Tom Gearing, Duane Bryan, Adam Corbally, Ricky Martin, Stephen Brady Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Ricky Martin is a 26 year old recruitment team leader and is also a wrestler. Says: "I truly am the reflection of perfection" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Katie Wright, an editorial and research director, is 26. Says: "I would call myself 'The Blonde Assassin. I let people underestimate me so I can blow them out of the water" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Stephen Brady, 33, is a sales manager based in Vienna. Says: "Enthusiasm is a huge asset of mine and I believe it's caught and not taught" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Bilyana Apostolova is a 25-year-old Bulgarian born risk analyst. Says: "I got myself from a Communist block of flats in Bulgaria to the top of a skyscraper in the heart of the City of London" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Adam Corbally, 32, is a market trader from Derbyshire. Says: "I get too excited but that shows my passion, it shows my drive and it shows my ability" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Jane McEvoy is a 28-year-old co-founder of a food manufacturing company in Kilkenny, Ireland. Says: Anything is achievable if you have drive, ambition and a seriously good work ethic" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Azhar Siddique, 33, is the founder and managing director of a catering and refrigeration company, and lives in Manchester. Says: "It's not who shouts the loudest; it's who has the ability to control the situation" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Jade Nash, 29, is a former 18-30 rep turned business development manager. Says: "What I want is to be able to retire when I'm 45, but I'm such a workaholic that I'll probably carry on until I'm 80" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Duane Bryan, 29, from Manchester is the founder/director of a drinks distribution company and is inspired by the Jaegermeister brand. Says: "I am a winner and I am a fighter, in order to be the best you've got to beat the best" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Gabrielle Omar is a 29-year-old architect from London. Says: "When it comes to business I can be like an animal and I will roar my way to the top" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Michael Copp, 31, is the managing director of a kitchen and bedroom furniture retailer. Says: "I'm better than unique; I'm naturally gifted in business" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Maria O'Connor is a 20-year-old restaurateur who opened her own Greek restaurant a year ago. Says: "If you chuck me in the deep end, I'll swim, I won't sink" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Nick Holzherr is a 25-year-old technology entrepreneur from Birmingham. Says: "I've got loads of ideas and I know how to whittle them down into ideas that will work and I've got what it takes to make them actually happen" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Laura Hogg, 28, is a bridal shop owner and former ice skater. Says: "I am going to be one of Scotland's next great exports" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Tom Gearing, 23, is the director of a fine wine investment company. Says: "I'm confident, charismatic, and some people say I'm quite good looking so that adds to the bill" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames

Jenna Whittingham is a 25-year-old beauty salon owner from Lancashire who has never been away from home for more than a week. Says: "My personality and character is 'once seen never forgotten" Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames