The Apprentice UK: Alex Short looks pensive as he faces Lord Sugar

The 16th series of the business reality show is set to finally return to screens on Thursday following a two-year hiatus, with a fresh batch of hopefuls battling it out  for a huge investment from Lord Sugar.

But from the looks of preview images for episode one, things get off to a difficult start for contestant Alex Short, 27, as he cuts a pensive figure while facing the business mogul, 71, in the boardroom.

While Lord Sugar looks furious as he makes his infamous phone call to his receptionist as the candidates await their fate – but who stays and who goes? 

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Uh oh! Preview images for The Apprentice episode one sees things get off to a potentially difficult start for contestant Alex Short, 27, as he cuts a pensive figure while facing Lord Sugar 71, in the boardroom

Meanwhile, the first task of the new series sees Nick Showering, 31, stripping down to his boxers as he films in front of a green screen. 

But will his scantily-clad antics secure a victory for the boys?

Or will the girls, who are seen filming on a cruise ship, emerge as victors in episode one? 

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Who’s fired? While Lord Sugar looks furious as he makes his infamous phone call to his receptionist as the candidates await their fate – but who stays and who goes?

Whatever the outcome, fans will no doubt be delighted as Karren Brady’s legendary raised eyebrow is back as she casts her steely gaze over the candidate’s actions, ready to report back to Lord Sugar.

This year will see series one contestant Tim Campbell join Karren as Lord Sugar’s other trusted aide, having replaced former star Claude Littner who bowed out due to an E-bike accident. 

Karren recently gave a hilarious insight into the eagerly anticipated new series of the reality show as she discussed the chaotic opening episode during an appearance on Tuesday’s This Morning. 

A clip was shown of the BBC show showing the contestants coming up with a questionable name for their cruise liner company – with Karren, who was appearing via video link from the Maldives, saying: ‘It goes from bad to worse. This opening episode is back with a bang.

‘It’s really back to its best. We’ve got new things, a visit from a familiar looking tooth fairy when they devise a kid’s toothbrush.

‘All sorts of other things, including inventing a new videogame, we actually do a tourism task for Wales which involves Europe’s longest zipwire.

‘And I had to go down it, but I wasn’t as scared as the candidate who was screaming their head off in fear. It was a lot of fun.’ 

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She’s back! Whatever the outcome, fans will no doubt be delighted as Karren Brady’s legendary raised eyebrow is back as she casts her steely gaze over the candidate’s actions

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Look who it is: This year will see series 1 contestant Tim Campbell join Karren as Lord Sugar’s other trusted aide,having replaced former star Claude Littner who bowed out due to an E-bike accident

Elsewhere, Lord Sugar has revealed the last-ever task he will set for his business candidates will be to plan his funeral.  

The Amstrad magnate has previously spoken about quitting the show after 20 series, and has hatched a plan for his final set of candidates to pitch what his coffin could look like before he bows out of the programme.

Ahead of the debut of series 16 on Thursday, the star said: ‘I’m not going nowhere and the programme is going nowhere.

‘I really want to make it 20 seasons. This one is 16 so I still have four more to go. I’ve already worked out the final task in one of the series is to arrange my funeral. 

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In the firing line: Karren recently gave a hilarious insight into the eagerly anticipated new series of the reality show (pictured Karren, Lord Sugar and fellow advisor Tim Campbell)

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Blunders: A clip was shown of the BBC show, with Karren, who was appearing via video link from the Maldives, saying: ‘It goes from bad to worse. This opening episode is back with a bang’

‘I want to see how well they arrange it and what kind of coffin they will get for me.’

When asked whether Piers Morgan would be able to fill his shoes and carry on the witty banter and one-liners, Lord Sugar laughed: ‘You’ve got to be joking, he’s got as much humour as a lead balloon.’

Sugar also shut down the idea of a celebrity series of The Apprentice made up of members of the government, claiming politicians, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wouldn’t even pass the auditions.

The new series marks the eagerly anticipated return of the show after it was forced off-air for two years due to the pandemic.     

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You’re Pyre-d!  Elsewhere, Lord Sugar has revealed the last-ever task he will set for his business candidates will be to plan his funeral

A former rugby player, eco warrior, a ‘witch school’ graduate and the self-dubbed ‘Asian version of Lord Sugar’ lead the diverse 16-person group who will be battling it out in the boardroom in a bid to nab Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment in their business.   

This year’s group features eight women and eight men from a wide range of business backgrounds, with specialists in online pyjama sales, the retail industry and the food and drink market set to make their screen debut when the series launches on Thursday. 

The contestants – who BBC bosses insisted were all double vaccinated before taking part in the series – are set to face the toughest challenges ever due to many businesses across the UK having been negatively affected by the pandemic.

The hit BBC show is now in its 16th season, having began in 2005 as a groundbreaking show which featured some of the country’s best young business minds hoping to secure a job with the then Sir Alan. 

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