The 'Apprentice' could be back in Spring 2021.

Lord Alan Sugar

Lord Alan Sugar

Lord Alan Sugar - who hires and fires people on the BBC One business competition show - has confirmed the pandemic has suspended filming for the new series but promised this year's new contestants will still get a chance to take part, whenever the series eventually airs.

When one fan asked if the show had been cancelled, he wrote on Twitter: "Yes I guess so. Could be back in Spring 2021 or skip a whole year and back in October 2021 ... 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 @bbcapprentice. (sic)"

It comes after the BBC confirmed that the 16th series of 'The Apprentice' has been postponed amidst the health outbreak.

A BBC spokesman said recently: "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."

At the time of the announcement, there was said to be a concern that the series "may not air at all" because of COVID-19.

A source said: "Filming has been scrapped for the foreseeable future so this year's series may not air at all because of the coronavirus. There were trips abroad planned which can't be filmed now, on top of the rest of the show - so everyone is expecting it to be cancelled altogether as there's no knowing how long lockdown will go on for."

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