Trump has triumphed in the ratings with his cut-and-thrust show

The Apprentice has attracted audiences of 20 million every week, while Trump's catchphrase "you're fired" has become a popular slogan across the country.

The series sees contestants bid to win a dream job at The Trump Organisation with a salary of $250,000 (�137,000).

Trump makes the final decision about which hopefuls stay - and who goes.

A total of 16 candidates from a variety of backgrounds have been competing each week at a series of tasks designed to test their business acumen.

Reality living

The contestants were recently pitted against each other to see who could rent one of Trump's penthouse properties for the most money.

The winners have been rewarded on a weekly basis, while one of the losing team has been sacked by famed mogul Trump.

They have spent the past three months living together in a swish New York loft apartment, with some contestants in the city for the first time.

The Apprentice has generated a huge amount of interest, with visitors flocking to Fifth Avenue where much of the show is set.

The show has put Trump's hairstyle in the spotlight

A welter of merchandise is being sold across the US, including Donald Trump mineral water and t-shirts - while focus has fallen on Trump's trademark hairstyle.

The businessman, who made much of his fortune in property and casinos, has revived his celebrity as a result of the programme.

His "you're fired" catchphrase has been picked up in offices across the US - but is mainly being used in jest.

The show has already been commissioned for another 30 episodes, to be screened later this year.