The Apprentice CANCELLED: Lord Alan Sugar 'confirms' huge shake-up to BBC series
THE APPRENTICE seems to have been cancelled this year as Lord Alan Sugar has addressed the future of the hit BBC reality show on Twitter and revealed there could be a change to when the next series does actually air.
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Lord Alan Sugar, 73, is best known for his booming business empire, as well as fronting The Apprentice on an annual basis. Given the current coronavirus outbreak, there has been doubts about whether a series will air at all this year on the BBC. However, the star of the show has now updated fans on social media about when they could expect to see the programme return.
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Each series usually begins in October, with 10 weeks of tasks leading to the final a week before Christmas in December.
Although the episodes air later in the year, the filming actually takes places some months prior, around Spring and into the Summer.
The current COVID-19 crisis has lead many television programmes to shut down production in line with the Government’s social distancing and lockdown guidance.
These rules would detriment the business reality show as the contestants have to share a house, as well as travelling up and down the country to complete challenges.
For this reason, it seems the programme won’t air at all this year, with Lord Sugar addressing the future of his series.
READ MORE: The Apprentice 2019: 'You fool' Viewers in turmoil over show first
In view of his 5.3 million followers, the business mogul took to Twitter to answer some fans questions.
One asked with regards to the future of The Apprentice: “Is the Apprentice cancelled this year, Lord? Sorry if you have already answered that.”
Lord Sugar's reply seemed to confirm the news viewers were dreading as he wrote: “Yes I guess so,” before revealing a big shake-up to when it will actually broadcast.
“Could be back in Spring 2021 or skip a whole year and back in October 2021,” so will the contestants be filming later this year when the series should have been on screen?
.@bbcapprentice Yes I guess so. Could be back in Spring 2021 or skip a whole year and back in October 2021 https://t.co/OTc4dp88ci
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) April 12, 2020
Could be back in Spring 2021
A spokesperson told Express.co.uk: "In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, Boundless the producers of The Apprentice, have postponed filming in consultation with and supported by the BBC.
“We will continue to review all productions on a case by case basis and will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organisation and Public Health England,” they said.
It seems this year’s candidates have already been chosen, too, as the business mogul explained what the current situation for casting was.
“The BBC has a selection of candidates ready to go from the last recruitment process in March. They will be called on once we have the green sign to start filming.”
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However, the update hasn’t gone down too well with viewers, who were expecting the programme to go ahead despite the outbreak.
One fan posted on the micro-blogging site: “Nooo! Dont skip a year, program like that needed sooner rather than later.”
Another added: “Please make it as soon as possible...I love the show & candidate interviews are one of my yearly T.V highlights!!.”
“I would be gutted if that was the case..a whole year without the apprentice,” a third commented.
The Apprentice could follow in the footsteps of other shows, who have been trying to fill their usual spots on the small screen.
Whereas the soaps have cut down the number of weekly episodes, other reality shows such as The Voice have been airing highlight shows instead.
Could fans be treated to a trip down memory lane as the BBC decide to air some of the most memorable episodes from the hit series?
When the programme does eventually return, who could be in the running to be Lord Sugar’s next business partner?
The Apprentice returns to BBC One in the future.