Stella English is Sir Alan's Apprentice!

*Stella English won the Apprentice series six*

BBC One’s BAFTA Award-wining show The Apprentice returns for another gripping series as 16 eager-to-impress hopefuls face Lord Sugar to battle it out for boardroom domination.

Touted as ‘a 12-week job interview from hell’ the aspiring entrepreneurs will face some of their toughest challenges to date in a bid to clinch this year’s winner’s title and bag themselves a £100,000-a-year job working for multi-millionaire business tycoon Sir Alan Sugar.

This year’s candidates include an investment banker, a surgeon, an ex-Marine Commando, an unemployed graduate and a current ‘Ironman’ contender, all hoping to follow in the footsteps of past winners Tim Campbell, Michelle Dewberry, Simon Ambrose, Lee McQueen and last year’s champ Yasmina Siadatan,

As Britain begins to recover from some of the toughest economic conditions in decades, Sir Alan warns his new line-up of corporate contenders that failure is not an option and mistakes will not be tolerated.

“I’ve read all your CVs and on paper you all look very good. But then again so does fish and chips…I need someone who is dynamic and ambitious and is not scared to take a risk. I’m not interested in any Steady Eddies or Cautious Carols. I’m looking for someone who is exceptional”.

Aided once again by his no-nonsense advisor Nick Hewer, Sir Alan will also be joined by top businesswoman and Vice Chairman of West Ham, Karen Brady, who replaces Margaret Mountford, to keep a watchful eye over this year’s candidates.

As usual, it’s straight to business for the contestants as the first episode of series six sees them making and selling sausages on the streets of London. Will they try to impress with gourmet creations or opt for quick and easy bargain bangers? Either way Sir Alan will only care about one thing – profit.

In a final reminder of what’s at stake, Sir Alan makes his intentions clear to this year’s competitors: “It’s sink or swim, and you’ve probably picked up by now that I don’t do lifejackets."

One job, 16 candidates, Sir Alan’s search for his apprentice begins on Wednesday 6th October.

Ultimate fan show, The Apprentice: You're Fired! will also be making a welcome return to BBC Two straight after the main programme with new host Dara O'Briain taking the chair. Each week the fired candidate will be interrogated by business experts, celebrity fans of the show and a studio audience of viewers.

Keep up with all the boardroom action here at whatsontv.co.uk.