The Apprentice has been cancelled and fans may have to wait a whole year before the business-based reality show returns their screens.
The BBC One series looks highly unlikely to return to its usual October time slot later this year as the nation continues to stay in lockdown amid the spread of the coronavirus.
Lord Alan Sugar who fronts the BBC show, announced the news on Sunday after being asked about the future of the reality show by a fan on Twitter.
The business tycoon, 73, explained that contestants lined up to appear in the 2020 series will “be called on” for the next series of the show, whenever that may be.
An Apprentice fan asked Lord Sugar: “Is the Apprentice cancelled this year, Lord? Sorry if you have already answered that?”
Sir Alan Sugar has confirmed that The Apprentice has been cancelled
The TV personality shared the fan’s question, and confirmed: “Yes I guess so. Could be back in Spring 2021 or skip a whole year and back in October 2021.”
Just moments later, another fan tweeted: “So the applicants from this year will get a chance next year or have they lost their chance if the show is cancelled this year, Lord?”
Lord Sugar replied: “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.”
Filming of the TV show has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (Image: BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring)
The future of the upcoming series of The Apprentice was thrown into chaos earlier this month after filming was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
BBC bosses and production companies Boundless were forced to cancel filming of the 16th series of The Apprentice and two trips abroad.
The broadcaster has previously revealed that they’ll review production of all TV shows on a “case by case” basis and will continue to follow guidelines from the World Health Organisation.
A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline earlier this month: “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.
Fans of the BBC show may have to wait until late-2021 to find out the identity of Lord Sugar’s next business partner (Image: Supplied by WENN)
‘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.”
Last year’s series of The Apprentice was won by Carina Lepore, who runs an artisan bakery.
She fought off stiff competition from Scarlett Allen-Horton, with the series bringing in an average of seven million viewers.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
