[Me. I Am Salman]

Although the corporation has not confirmed that the show – which sees budding 16 and 17-year-old entrepreneurs competing to win a £25,000 cash award – has been shelved, the mogul broke the news on Twitter after being asked when it would return.

When asked: ‘Will there be another series of Young Apprentice. Hope so,’ he replied: ‘NO BBC HAVE DECIDED TO STOP IT.’

The third series, which was screened in late 2012, was won by 17-year-old Ashleigh Porter-Exley, with previous series being won by Arjun Rajyagor and Zara Brownless.

However, there had been rumours that the show would not return in the wake of disappointing viewing figures.

While its two previous runs – which were screened at 9pm – had pulled in audiences around the 4-5m mark – series three failed to thrive when moved to the earlier time of 8pm, with viewing figures dipping to around 3m.

It’s not all bad news for Apprentice fans though, as Lord Sugar also confirmed that the next series of the main show would be back on screens soon.

He tweeted: ‘For those interested Answer: Late Spring this year. Will advise exact date ASAP.’

Lord Sugar confirmed last year that The Apprentice – which will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2014 – would run for at least another two series.

‘I’ve agreed two more series making it 10 years of The Apprentice,’ he tweeted last summer – with the BBC saying that despite a decline in viewing figures the mogul remained a ‘ratings winner’.

The 2012 series of the show was won by former recruitment manager Ricky Martin, who won a £250,000 investment to fund his own business ventures.

http://metro.co.uk/2013/02/08/young-...sugar-3398763/

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