They’re back in Sir Alan’s firing line

Yes, that’s Sergei Prokofiev’s haunting Dance of the Knight (aka Montagues and Capulets) you can hear coming out of your TV speakers.

So unless Sunderland AFC are making their way onto the pitch (the theme is also used on matchdays at the Stadium of Light), then TheApprenticeisback(tonight, BBC1, 9pm).

We all know the score by now - a new batch of sycophantsdesperatetoimpress us with their business acumendescendonthecapital, all armedwiththeirwheelie suitcases and soundbites.

Then Lord Sugar steps down from his private jet, into the back of the Roller and off to the boardroom to regale everyone with tales of how he began his own business, loaded the lorries, designed the product and stood on the production line, andnowhe’sapeer with a private plane.

Tonight, Sugar begins his latest search for a chipoff-the-old-block roughdiamond to polish.

The winners of The Apprenticehaven’talwaysgone ontoforge long-lasting relationships with Sir Alan, but triumphing in the showcan certainly give them a leg up on the entrepreneurial ladder.

Last year’s winner – Peterborough’sJosephValente - used his prize to expand his plumbing business, and predecessor Mark Wright launched an SEO business called Climb Online.

The champ from 2013 Dr Leah Tottonownsacosmetic skin clinic and has also appeared on This Morning, while 2012’s Ricky Martin owns a recruitment company.

Other notable contestantsfromyearsgonebyhave included Michelle Dewberry, theseasontwochampion whocontinuestobeamedia personality, and Katie Hopkins - now one of the country’s most divisive writers.

So, who are the candidates that will be tasked with donning pines over their a shiny suits to flog fish fingers to stockbrokers in the City this year?

Well, whoever they are, you can bet Sir Alan knows who he expects to win from an early stage and the rest are dispensable.

InfairnesstoSugar, at least he makes a pretence of sacking them for a reason, and not at random, which of course makes for better entertainment for us.

But, although the details of the individuals is unknown at the moment, we’d expect the classic challenges to feature throughout the series - a trade show, an advertising task, some kind of test which forcesLordSugartotalkabout apps and the gruelling interview stage.

Many will also be hoping for a return of previous favourite - the shopping-channel task - so fingers crossed there.

Onethingthat is changing, however, is thehostofTheApprentice: You’re Fired!

Welshstand-upcomedian Rhod Gilbert will be stepping into Jack Dee’s shoes for the BBC Two spin-off and is looking forwardtoquizzingtherejected candidates.

Claude Littner andKarren Brady also return for the new series, withLittnerapparently saying that heplanstobe“alittle bit morefriendly” this year.