Audience boost for The Apprentice

The show, which stars Sir Alan Sugar, has gone from strength to strength

The first episode of the latest series of The Apprentice, attracted a peak audience of 8.3 million, according to early overnight figures.

Last year's opening show drew in 6.7 million viewers - 1.6 million less than this year's audience.

Taggart, which was broadcast at the same time on ITV1, attracted a peak audience of 3.3 million and Channel 4's Grand Designs drew 2.8 million.

A spokesman for the show said the series had "got off to a flying start".

The viewing figures are the highest the series has ever obtained in its opening week.

'Bitterly disappointed'

Wednesday night's show saw business tycoon Sir Alan Sugar challenge the two teams to start a cleaning business.

The girls team - Ignite - failed to make the most money, which led to business strategist Anita Shah being fired.

Sir Alan said he sacked Shah, 35, because she "showed no initiative in spotting that you were going for a disaster".

After leaving the boardroom, Shah, who is a qualified lawyer, said she was "gutted" and "bitterly disappointed".

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