APPRENTICE baddie Mike Soutar will be returning this year to grill the latest set of candidates.
Lord Sugar’s boardroom contest hit telly screens last month with a fresh batch of fame-hungry business hopefuls.
Media mogul Mike, from Dundee, has become a fan favourite for his no-nonsense approach during the tense interview stages.
A telly insider said: “Mike is one of Lord Sugar’s most trusted lieutenants and is a force to be reckoned with.
“The Apprentice interviews wouldn’t be the same without him – viewers love his tough approach.
“This year’s candidates better hope they’ve crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s before being quizzed by Mike.”
And under the microscope this year is telemarketing hunk Keir Shave, 27, who was found in a hotel room with co-star Amber-Rose Badrudin, 24.
Also joining the line-up is workwear guru Liam Snellin, 29, blonde beautician Aoibheann Walsh, 34, and bikini-loving Melica Moshiri, 28.
The publishing tycoon, 57, is the co-founder of Shortlist Media Ltd which owns the titles Stylist and Shortlist among others.
The entrepreneur is also the former editor of lads mag FHM in the UK.
Mike has been on Lord Sugar’s The Apprentice interview panel since 2011.
He previously told the BBC: “It’s an immense honour, personally, to be involved in The Apprentice. It’s as simple as that.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Apprentice star quits show after being accused of using racist language during task and telling Lord Sugar ‘I’m leaving'” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368783953112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“And for me, I love the challenge of researching different business sectors.”
Mike will join 77-year-old Lord Sugar’s trusted advisors Karren Brady, 55, and series one winner Tim Campbell, 47 – he is expected to appear in episode 11.
And his interviews in previous years have left contestants squirming.
The fierce star famously left gym owner Rachel Woolford red-faced after false claims she bought a website domain for her business – but Mike revealed documents showing he had purchased the URL himself.
He also rubbished a contestant’s boast of selling over one million products and revealed the true figure was 47,000.
Despite welcoming a string of Scots over the years, the latest series has no hopefuls from north of the border.
The BBC hit previously featured salon boss Natalie Hughes, from Glasgow, who hit the headlines in 2017 after her hubby was caged for being part of a £700,000 heroin ring.
And 2023 star Reece Donnelly, from Cambuslang, was fired from the show after he got drunk on a flight to Dubai to take part in a task.
The BBC was asked for comment.