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You're hired - for two more series
Tara Conlan - MediaGuardian.co.uk
Tre Azam: one of this year's Apprentice candidates who have helped the show to 5.8 million viewers. Photograph: BBC
The BBC has tied up a two-series deal for The Apprentice with production company Talkback Thames.
BBC1's hit reality show, currently in its third series, this week recorded a ratings high of 5.8 million viewers.
Now it has emerged that BBC1 is securing two more runs of The Apprentice, meaning it is likely to remain on the channel until 2009.
Entrepreneur Sir Alan Sugar is also understood to be in the frame to continue in his role. Talkback has already started soliciting calls for candidates for another series.
The Apprentice moved from BBC2 to BBC1 at the beginning of this run and continues to go from strength to strength.
It has also picked up younger viewers for the channel, according to the BBC.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "We're delighted we're doing another two series of The Apprentice. The show is fantastic and is proving popular with young audiences too."
The news comes in the week that it was revealed Sir Alan's US counterpart Donald Trump is on the verge of being told "you're fired".
US network NBC has dropped The Apprentice from its autumn schedule, although it is refusing to confirm that the series has been axed.
The Apprentice first aired in the US in 2004.
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