BBC bosses have reportedly been left fuming after a contestant has bragged about reaching this year's final before the show has aired.
The contestant - who has not been publicly named - could find him or herself in breach of their contract by revealing details of the show prematurely, with industry insiders saying it would be "incredibly costly" to reshoot the series.
A source close to the programme - which stars billionaire businessman Alan Sugar - told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "This is a worst nightmare for bosses as they try and build suspense before the first show airs on Wednesday.
"The contestant has seriously annoyed a lot of people by not keeping this to themselves. You would have thought this will be weighing heavily on Lord Sugar's mind when he ultimately decides who's hired in the final."
The new series is due to air in the coming days and the BBC fears the contestant's name could leak online at any moment.
TV bosses are apparently dependent on people on internet forums and various social media platforms to remain tight-lipped about the upcoming series.
The insider added: "Producers have been left with little choice other than to keep everything crossed and hope no-one talks online.
"You would expect some very strong words being directed at the individual who slipped up here."
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