The Apprentice and Sir Alan Sugar to return for a second series

by Sam Matthews, Brand Republic 05-May-05, 11:00

LONDON – The BBC has confirmed its hit reality TV series 'The Apprentice', starring electronics entrepreneur Sir Alan Sugar, will be back for a second series after securing 4m viewers for BBC Two in its final episode last night.

The 12-week series which began in mid February, pulled in an average of 3m viewers, up 10% on BBC Two's average audience share.

It concluded last night with London Underground manager Tim Campbell winning the £100,000 salary prize and a chance to work with Sugar. The hour-long episode from 9pm was watched by an average 3.6m viewers.

Sugar told Campbell "You're hired" after he saw off the challenge from rival finalist Saira Khan.

"What's got me through all the time is that finishing line, that job. I've given up my family, my little daughter, my friends, my life basically, for 12 weeks," Campbell said.

Sugar has confirmed he will return to appoint another apprentice early next year.

Roly Keating, controller of BBC Two, said: "In a very short space of time, it has become one of the most-talked-about shows on television and the feedback from the audience has been fantastic."

The UK series was based on the US series of the same name featuring property tycoon Sir Donald Trump.

'The Apprentice' on NBC is set to return for its third series with ex-convict businesswoman Martha Stewart taking on Trump's role telling staff "You're fired".

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