'The Apprentice' is to return next year - with an additional two candidates.
BBC business show The Apprentice is set to return next year with 18 candidates
The BBC business show will feature 18 wannabes vying for Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment, in a "bigger than ever" series.
A show insider told The Sun newspaper's TV Biz column: "Bosses feel The Apprentice will be bigger than ever this year and believe viewers are in for a treat.
"There are so many exciting challenges planned that it made sense to increase the numbers."
The 75-year-old businessman will be flanked by Karren Brady and former 'Apprentice' winner Tim Campbell in the boardroom.
Claude Littner - who had to pull out of being Lord Sugar's aide earlier this year following a cycling accident, but returned for the show's interviews stage - will be back for two episodes.
The first episode of the new series will see the 18 candidates head to Antigua, where they will sell excursions to tourists.
Earlier this year, the show returned after a break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Harpreet Kaur won the series and landed the six-figure prize.
After her victory over Kathryn Burn, the 30-year-old entrepreneur said: "I absolutely loved that it was an all-female final because I love empowering women.
"I hope that I can inspire many women that you need to follow your dreams, go and smash your goals, go and get them.
"But I also do feel that we need to sort of delete these titles out there in business, it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female.
"If you can set your eyes on something, and you’re going to make a success of yourself, go for it. It doesn’t really matter what gender you are.
"And I think, again, through the process, that’s what Lord Sugar is about, I don’t think it matters if you’re male or female, if he recognises that someone’s worth an investment, he will do that."
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