Lord Alan Sugar reportedly wants to relocate filming of The Apprentice to Australia in 2021 as ‘life there is almost back to normal’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The business mogul, 73, is currently in Sydney while he films the down under version of the show, and is thought to have been impressed with how things are.
It comes after this year’s season of the British version of the show was cancelled due to difficulties assuring social distancing and the challenges of shooting overseas.
Making plans? Lord Alan Sugar reportedly wants to move The Apprentice to Australia in 2021 as ‘life there is almost back to normal’ amid the coronavirus pandemic
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Lord Sugar has loved filming in Oz and has told BBC bosses that for next year’s UK series he’d like to take it out there.
‘While London is like a ghost town, there’s a real buzz in Australia and New Zealand, where life is almost back to normal amid the pandemic.
‘There would be plenty that the teams of hopeful entrepreneurs could do, whereas filming in London is likely to still be tricky next year, especially as the restrictions change all the time.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for The Apprentice and Lord Sugar for a comment.
Change of scenery? The BBC had to cancel this year’s UK series due to the pandemic and a TV source has claimed that Australia would provide ‘plenty for the contestants to do’ (pictured are Karren Brady, Lord Sugar and Claude Littner)
Lord Sugar is currently in Australia for the filming of the Aussie version of Celebrity Apprentice and has been sharing snaps of his time down under.
As well as enjoying a few matches of tennis, the TV star has shared snaps standing in front of landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House
However the billionaire and his wife Ann did cause a stir when they arrived back in September after being granted permission by the New South Wales Government to self-isolate at a private venue instead of a quarantine hotel for two weeks.
Unlike other travellers who have to pay a $2,800 hotel quarantine bill upon their return to Australia, the couple were allowed to head straight to their property.
Exploring: The business mogul, 73, is currently in Sydney while he films the Australian version of the show, and has been sharing snaps of himself taking in landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House
A NSW Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia at the time, the British lord and his wife had submitted a proposal to quarantine in a private facility.
They said: ‘The couple is compliant with the Public Health (COVID-19 Air Transportation Quarantine) Order (No 2) 2020 and did not require an exemption from quarantine requirements.’
While spokesperson said: ‘The couple is required to abide by the same regulations as any other returned traveller.’
It comes after the BBC decided to cancel this year’s series of The Apprentice in the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Flying high: Lord Sugar also flew a sea plane from Rose Bay to Palm Beach, enjoying the sweeping views of the city below since arriving in Australia in September
According to The Sun, bosses made the decision to call off the show after deciding it would be too difficult to shoot challenges overseas or maintain social distancing.
This will be the first time fans of the show, which is fronted by Lord Sugar, will have not been given a new series since The Apprentice debuted in 2005.
The broadcaster will instead air a highlights show showing the best bits from the reality series from over the years.
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson confirmed: ‘Sadly we have decided to postpone The Apprentice for 2020.
‘Production safety and the wellbeing of everyone involved in the show is our number one priority.
‘While this is understandably disappointing news, viewers will still be able to get their weekly fix of memorable tasks, favourite candidates and boardroom bust ups alongside brand new insights from Karren, Claude, Lord Sugar and many more from the past 15 years in a special highlights series airing on BBC1.’
It was revealed in April the BBC had temporarily halted production on the new series, despite having a group of hopefuls ready to go.
Postponed: This year is the first time fans of the show, which is fronted by Lord Sugar, will have not been given a new series since The Apprentice debuted in 2005