BBC lining up new version of The Apprentice – and it could feature a major change

THE creators of The Apprentice have been looking at a new spin-off of the show – and it might not be fronted by LORD SUGAR.

Instead of the usual semi-established business types, it would feature fledgling millennial techies in their late teens and early twenties on the new version of the hit BBC1 contest.

That would lead to another notable change in the format — because they wouldn’t be required to don the usual suits and power dresses we’re used to the candidates wearing.

A TV insider said: “Of course Lord Sugar would be the automatic first thought when developing any kind of UK show relating to The Apprentice.

“But the blue sky thinkers at production company Naked have toyed with the idea of someone else doing the hiring and firing in the new version.

“And that someone might be an individual closer to the age of those taking part and have more experience in the tech world of the 2020s.”

The creators of the show are always looking at new ways to keep the format fresh and current and that includes spin-offs.

So far the BBC1 show has had different versions featuring children and celebrities, as well as The Apprentice: You’re Fired on BBC2.

But the programme has now been on our screens since 2005, during which time the “assistants” who’ve flanked Lord Sugar have changed on several occasions.

Though he will be back as the show returns next year with an extra two candidates being added to the line up.

Tim Campbell and Karren Brady are also back to watch over the two groups of wannabe tycoons and will of course report back to Lord Sugar.

I doubt anyone would dare to fire him if they got this new show off the ground.

E.T. JOE’S FAR CRY FROM SI

Joe Thomas has gone to impressive lengths to avoid being typecast as Simon Cooper from The Inbetweeners.

For his current role he has donned full prosthetics to play an alien.

He stars alongside Sherlock Holmes’ Amanda Abbington and former Corrie star Georgia May Foote in We Are Not Alone, a comedy set after Earth has been invaded.

Joe told me: “We often forget the make-up is on . . .

“You’re checking your phone, and you’re saying, ‘You must use my financial adviser. Yeah, he’s really good. I’ll give you his number’.

“Then you remember you’re dressed as an alien.

“You’re constantly having those moments. So all human small talk becomes completely ridiculous.”

Watch the fun tonight at 9pm on Dave.

Grace tucks in

YOU don’t get much better than a carb-laden buffet – and that’s something even restaurant reviewer Grace Dent can agree with.

So much so the writer and food critic has dedicated a new TV show to the concept.

Chatting about Million Dollar Buffet, Grace told me: “We are looking at buffets across the world.

In Vegas we went to Caesars Palace.

Those buffets people pay $80 or $90 for and there are 250 different dishes and the best seafood!”

She added: “My heart swells when there is a function room with a buffet of delicious food.

“It takes me back to being a little girl and you go to your aunt’s house and she has lots of bits from M&S. It feels as if you are a child in a sweet shop.”

Maura merrier

Maura Higgins celebrates her birthday in a skimpy bikini – and shows Joey Essex just what he’s missing.

The Love Island beauty, who appeared on the ITV show in 2019, is enjoying sunning herself in the Maldives after turning 32 on Friday.

Despite kissing reality TV star Joey at a showbiz bash last month, Maura headed off on the luxury getaway with a female pal.

Maura and Joey were said to have swapped numbers and planned to go on a date, only for Joey to get close to his Dancing On Ice partner Vanessa Bauer.

They have been snapped looking n-ice and cosy during rehearsals for the series which kicks off in January.

Maura doesn’t seem that bothered by getting the cold-shoulder  . . . she’s having too much fun frolicking on a Maldives beach.

Louis is one to watch

HE’S riding high after another hit series involving huge names like Judi Dench and Rita Ora.

But award-winning documentary maker Louis Theroux hasn’t let that go to his head.

The BBC man has admitted he still wears a £10 watch from Argos.

He said: “I don’t want a flash car, I don’t want flash clothes, I want to be anti-flash.

“Like my watch. My wife was saying to me last night, ‘Maybe time for a new watch?’ This is a Casio. It’s an F91W. These cost like £10, £15 – you can get them at Argos.

“It’s completely reliable. The only thing that goes on it is the strap.”
But he admitted that he thinks he should try to conceal his lack of ambition.

Chatting on The Diary Of A CEO podcast, Louis added: “I’m trying to lean into being the guy that isn’t showing off about what ‘not a show off’ he is.”

Sharron glad of reboot

WHILE Sharron Davies will always be best known as an Olympic swimmer, others may remember her time as Amazon – one of ITV’s superfit Gladiators from the show’s Nineties heyday.

But she was not always a fan of the superficial nature of the show and hopes the BBC makes changes with its reboot next year.

She told me: “I worked very hard to be Sharron Davies the Olympic swimmer, but for a period of time for the younger generation I was Amazon.

“That was difficult really because as far as I am concerned it’s much more difficult to be an Olympic medallist than to be a Gladiator.

“Gladiators was real fun but it was a TV show, entertainment.

“They were more interested in making sure we had plenty of time for hair and make-up and less time to practise on the games.”

Sharron believes the rebirth is a chance to educate youngsters.

She said: “I do worry about children these days sitting with their tablets and young people being inactive.

“I think maybe with the new Gladiators show, that’s the way we can try to educate young people about physical fitness and eating well.”