Lee McQueen is the new Apprentice!

*Lee McQueen won the fourth series of The Apprentice on Wednesday, June 11

Sir Alan Sugar will be telling more young entrepreneurs "You're fired!" when The Apprentice returns to BBC1 for a fourth nail-biting series.

Since its first series in February 2005, The Apprentice has followed 16 of the brightest business brains in Britain as they compete for a 100,000 pound-a-year job as an apprentice to multi-millionaire business tycoon Sir Alan Sugar.

After being split into two teams, the candidates take part in a series of tough business challenges. Those on the losing team must return to the boardroom to face a dressing down from boss Sir Alan, where one of them will get fired!

Transport manager Tim Campbell was the first to be told: 'You're hired!' in series one, with ex-supermarket checkout girl Michelle Dewberry, becoming the chosen one in series two. Internet entrepreneur Simon Ambrose romped to victory in 2007, beating Kristina Grimes in the final.

There's always plenty of blood, sweat, tears and tantrums as the teams attempt to show off their skills - often with disastrous results. Series three will be best remembered for Tre's overly ambitious schemes, Simon's 'rapping' skills and Kristina's constant warring with maneater and Public Enemy No 1 Katie - who shocked everyone in the semi-final by saying she didn't want the job!

This year's line-up includes ex-soldier Simon Smith, who's apparently been in rehab, and Shazia Wahab, who successfully sued a City law firm. Also hoping to impress Sir Alan is Lindi Mngaza, who claims to be descended from royalty.

Details of the tasks are still being kept under wraps, but candidates have apparently been spotted around Canary Wharf advertising an Aston Martin Roadster experience.

So, which of this year's 16 hopefuls will end up in the firing line? And which bright young thing will become Sir Alan's next apprentice?

Keep up with all the hiring and firing by logging on to whatsontv.co.uk.