The Apprentice in huge schedule shake up as BBC pushes back new series start date
THE Apprentice has been pushed back by the BBC to accommodate for another returning reality hit.
Fronted by Lord Alan Sugar, the business programme will be delayed by a MONTH in a shock schedule shake-up.
Rather than premiering in January as usual, the programme will now arrive in February next year.
The BBC confirmed the scheduling decision had been taken as a result of The Traitors also having been pushed back a month from December to January.
Fans had been hoping to tune into the next series of the show at the turn of the New Year but they will now be forced to hang on for a bit longer.
The upcoming series will see Lord Sugar lead the way again, joined by his trusted pals, Karren Brady and the first ever winner of the show, Tim Campbell.
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It is expected that the show will once again air on Thursday evenings following the conclusion of The Traitors.
Tim has already shared his excitement for the upcoming edition of the show and told The Sun that the brand new cast were the "best" yet.
In an exclusive interview, Tim said: "We're very excited that the new series is going to be shown in the New Year. I think we've got the best candidate group ever, it's amazing.
"We've got the best quality calibre of candidates, business owners, professionals and experts in their fields, who are coming along to give up their time and energy and enthusiasm to be part of one of the most robust interview processes in order to find out Lord Sugar's next business partner.
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"Some are already running very successful enterprises who have all still wanted to come and apply for the unique opportunity to get investment from Lord Sugar and his mentorship.
"That's really is a credit to him and the power and robustness of the show.
"I personally am very, very excited for everybody to see what is coming up because it's going to be a great series."
Tim continued: "There's some massive characters and some really big deals, some amazing deals that are done. We've got some really transformational exchanges that have come along in the process.
"I think people who are watching this series are going to pick their favourites because it's nice to have a character that you can connect to."
The latest series was won by boxing gym owner Marnie Swindells.
She beat out hair salon owner Rochelle Anthony to the top prize.
