Lord Alan Sugar has responded to claims The Apprentice is turning into Love Island as the BBC One show returns to screens this week for the 17th series.
The hit business show is back once again as Lord Sugar and his aides hunt to find the perfect business partner to invest £250,000 into their company.
The reality show will see 18 new candidates jet off to Antigua for the first episode as they are tasked with creating and selling excursions to tourists.
Yet as the Apprentice hopefuls soak up the warmer climes, many continue to ask whether the show’s cast is better suited for Love Island, particularly as the stacked young candidates flaunt swimsuit snaps on their social media and boast huge followings.
Yet the 75-year-old has flatly dismissed the comparison during a remote appearance at the launch event for the upcoming series.
Speaking to The Mirror and other press, the British businessman said he ‘doesn’t know’ of the show’s similarly to Love Island, adding: “I'd be able to answer that question if I ever watched Love Island.”
He went on to address the youth of the candidates and whether the show could ever see a more mature winner in the future, as he insisted there is no age limit on applications.
He said: “In the past series, I think there was someone who was a little more mature than the other candidates. So there is no age limit. We don't restrict people of more mature age.”
The line-up for the new series of The Apprentice boasts two hair salon owners, two sweet shop owners and a safari guide to compete for Lord Sugar's investment.
Among the usual city bankers and accountants, a wide range of applicants with careers in everything from martial arts to selling wedding dresses are being considered.
One of the hair salon owners named Rochelle Anthony claims to be the ‘ Kim Kardashian of the business world’ as she brings ‘a hint of glam’ to her professional profile.
Lord Sugar has said the series will see a number of the show’s favourite tasks return which were not ‘do-able’ during Covid.
Businessman and TV personality Claude Littner returns for the first episode of the series alongside Baroness Karren Brady in the boardroom, but the 73-year-old was replaced with former winner Tim Campbell for subsequent episodes due to medical issues.
Claude was absent from the most recent series after undergoing multiple surgeries following a serious bike accident.
The Apprentice will air from Thursday January 5 on BBC One and iPlayer.
