Series One of The Apprentice television programme was broadcast in the UK from 16 February to 11 May in 2005. The format of the UK version was very similar to that of the US original. The format was licensed by RTL Group and the programme produced for the BBC by RTL's Talkback Thames division. It was shown on BBC Two on Wednesday evenings over twelve weekly episodes. The winner was to become an apprentice to Sir Alan Sugar. The winner was Tim Campbell, previously a transport manager at London Underground, who beat Saira Khan in the final. Sir Alan said that he chose Tim as the winner because of his likeness to his East End self.