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The Apprentice is back and this time the stakes are even higher. With one contestant set to win an investment of £250,000 into a start up business of their choice, you can bet there are going to be some serious sparks flying in the boardroom.

What’s different this year?

This year will see the contestants fighting it out to win a £250,000 prize fund that will be invested into their own business. The winning contestant will be able to choose what type of business they wish to set up and will have the backing and mentoring of Lord Sugar, with each taking a 50/50 stake in the company.

Series 7 features 16 contestants – each week they will be divided into two teams, with one selected nominated Project Manager. The teams will go head-to-head in a series of tasks selected by Lord Sugar that will see their business skills tested to the maximum.

The two teams will then compete against each other under the watchful eye of Karren Brady and Nick Hewer, who will report their findings back to Lord Sugar.

After completing the task both teams will return to the boardroom to find out which team has won. Winning the task is usually dependent on gaining the most profit.

The winning team will be rewarded with a treat while the losing team’s Project Manager will select two other team members to accompany them back into the boardroom, where one of them will be fired.

The three candidates will then put their case to Lord Sugar who will then decide who will be fired and leave the competition for good.

How You Can Interact

We want to hear your opinions, your views and your comments on the candidates and on the show. You can interact on our blog and other social networks:

The Apprentice blog: New for Series 7, the blog will keep track of events, as well as deliver exclusive information, interviews and video direct from our Apprentice Insider and some familiar faces from previous series.

Follow us on Twitter for live comments throughout each show. There’ll also be exclusive content during the week, including challenges and highlights.

Join our Facebook page for previews, challenges and your chance to relive classic moments from the show.