The Apprentice 'to clamp down on behind-the-scenes sex scandals before they happen'

The long-running BBC business reality contest is due to return in early 2022 after more than a year off the air. Covid-19 rules will see contestants living under stricter rules than usual.

Makers of The Apprentice are coming doing hard on behind-the-scenes lovemaking and drafting in chaperones to ensure it doesn’t happen for the BBC’s upcoming new series.

Contestants of the long running show should be braced for a new series of business and not pleasure as the reality competition prepares to return for a 16th run.

The number of minders that live with the contestants in their on-screen accommodation will be doubled in an effort to stop any nookie taking place between episodes.

The new measure is being brought in to effect in order to safeguard new hopefuls as the show prepares to return after a year off the air – caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

While severe consequences will be brought to any hopefuls who breach the no romantic relationships rule as they will be given the boot if they do get past the minders.

A show source told The Sun on Sunday: “Lord Sugar has always hated the idea that some of the contestants might be getting together behind the scenes while filming.

“This isn’t Love Island. To him, the process should be solely about business. The latest batch of contestants face stricter monitoring than any past group.

“Staff have been tasked with ensuring contestants keep their eyes on the prize and not on each other.”

While The Apprentice has traditionally kept all the drama on screen restricted to scenes involving business tasks, there have been occasions in the past where participants have become close as well as competitive.

The 2019 series saw Lottie Lion and Lewis Ellis embark on a romance between boardroom meetings.

While 2016 stars Jessica Cunningham, Courtney Wood, Grainne McCoy and Paul Sullivan all get more than professional with one and other.

Stars on the 2021 show will be ‘bubbled’ together in an effort to prevent a Covid outbreak during filming.

While it is also expected that the chaperones will be able to offer support to the cast as the series will be stricter than others due to the health regulations.

The new series is due to film this year but will not air until 2022.

A 16th series had been planned for spring last year but was abruptly halted due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Sir Alan Sugar is expected to return to the upcoming new series as the show boss alongside regular on-screen colleagues Karren Brady and Claude Littner.