Apprentice driver told 'You're nicked!'

Stars of The Apprentice were left stranded during a task when their chauffeur was arrested - accused of stealing their handbags.

The driver was parked waiting for the show's female candidates when police approached him and asked what he was doing.

But worried he would divulge secrets of the hit BBC1 show, he refused to tell them so the officers searched the car - and found handbags belonging to the contestants in the boot, according to reports in the Sunday Mirror.

A show producer said: "As soon as the police saw the pile of bags which he wouldn't explain he was taken to a police station and quizzed for three hours before he was eventually set free.

"By that time the girl contestants were stranded - and decided it must be part of their task."

The girls were in the City of London to promote an art gellery as part of a weekly challenge set by business tycoon Sir Alan Sugar.

They had stopped to hand out leaflets when police arrested the driver.

The source added: Drivers are given strict instructions not to reveal their involvement with the programme to anyone.

"It seems this driver just followed that to the letter, even when faced with a night behind bars."

The team - including advertising sales manager Naomi Lay - were furious that the mishap could have cost them the chance to become Sir Alan's £100,000-a-year apprentice.