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The Apprentice boss Lord Sugar doesn't think the BBC 'realise how great the show is'

New series: Lord Sugar is back on the hunt for a new business partner in The Apprentice: BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring
New series: Lord Sugar is back on the hunt for a new business partner in The Apprentice: BBC/Boundless Taylor Herring

Lord Alan Sugar has said that he doesn’t think the BBC understand how The Apprentice is having an impact on younger viewers and their business plans.

The business tycoon, 71, hailed the role of the successful programme in encouraging young people to get into business.

Speaking at the media launch of series 14, Sugar said: “With the greatest respect to the BBC, they really do not understand how great this programme is as far as creating enthusiasm amongst young people and encouraging young people to get into business.

“I don’t think they get that really. Their remit is to get lots of viewers which of course the programme does, but I don’t think they get that part of it.”

Sugar, who enlists associates and friends Baroness Karren Brady and Claude Littner in his search for the next business to invest in, also revealed that he would like an spin-off series to show where the winners are now.

Over the years, Sugar has invested around £2million in six winning candidates and suggested a one-off or series to follow the success that can come from the show, although acknowledged broadcasting rules somewhat hamper the idea.

Sugar said: “I think the BBC have got limited resources. It cost money.

“There’s another issue and that is that the BBC guidelines on promoting business is not allowed either.

“So for example if we were to follow Tom the inventor, we would have to show his products. If we were to follow Alana we’d have to show her cakes and so on and so forth.

“There is a way of doing it. I would very much like to see a programme on it, in fact not just one programme. I think it could be six programmes. I think that’s really down to the BBC.”

Meanwhile, the 16 business hopefuls taking part in the new series have been revealed ahead of the show’s return next week, Wednesday October 3 .