The BBC has revealed the start date for the 2024 series of The Apprentice.

The BBC confirmed the 18th series of the award-winning business show back in November (2023) and fans of the show have been patiently waiting for a start date to be announced ever since. 

The Apprentice usually begins on the BBC in January along with Dragons' Den. 

In 2023 both shows began on January 5 in what the BBC billed as "business Thursdays". 

The new series (21) of Dragons' Den started on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on January 4 in 2024 but there was no sign of The Apprentice.

Echo: The Apprentice usually starts in January but its release has been delayed in 2024, see why.The Apprentice usually starts in January but its release has been delayed in 2024, see why. (Image: BBC / Fremantlemedia Limited)

The Apprentice delayed by The Traitors

The release of the 18th series of The Apprentice UK has been delayed, according to Planet Radio, to accommodate the new series of The Traitors which began on the BBC on January 3.

Planet Radio said: "Despite The Apprentice usually hitting our screens in early January, the 2024 series has been delayed by bosses to accommodate for the second series of reality show The Traitors.

It added: "It's now being reported that The Apprentice will land in February 2024."

BBC reveals start date for The Apprentice 2024

The BBC has now revealed when series 18 of The Apprentice will start in the UK. 

The broadcaster announced, via the show's X (formerly Twitter) account, that the 2024 series of The Apprentice UK would return on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on February 1, 2024 at 9pm. 

Series 18 will see Lord Sugar return with his trusted advisers Baroness Karen Brady and Tim Campbell along with 18 new candidates. 

The new candidates will complete new tasks in the hope of winning Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment and mentorship.

What we know about The Apprentice 2024 (so far)

It has previously been revealed that series 18 of The Apprentice will start in the Scottish Highlands. 

Candidates from the men’s and women’s teams will be asked to organise a corporate hospitality challenge which will involve hosting a luxury away day for clients.

Success in the challenge will mean they go on to complete a host of other tasks, including a virtual escape room, creating cereals for children, discount buying in Jersey, a tourism challenge in Budapest and the return of the infamous TV shopping channel task.

You can watch the first episode of The Apprentice 2024 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Thursday, February 1 at 9pm.