TV3 gives The Apprentice the chop. Insert inevitable ‘You’re Fired’ reference here

Wannabe Irish entrepreneurs will be forced to look for actual jobs in the future after TV3 decided to axe The Apprentice after four years.

The show, which offered winners the opportunity to work for, and subsequently go into business with Irish business magnate Bill Cullen, has been axed by TV3, who will be replacing the prime-time offering with a “raft of new programmes” to be announced in the Autumn.

The station released a statement confirming the decision to get rid of the show, which read: “TV3 would like to take this opportunity to thank ShinAwiL for four successful years of The Apprentice.

“TV3 looks forward to announcing a raft of new programmes at its autumn launch in August of this year.”

Although it was only on our screen for four years, The Apprentice will be remembered for numerous cringe-worthy moments involving the various contestants – or ‘spoofers’ as Bill liked to call them, for turning Bill Cullen into a national celebrity and for making a ‘star’ of the incomparable Breffni Morgan.

Bill’s sidekick Brian Purcell voiced his appreciation of the show on Twitter this evening, saying: “After amazing 4 yrs n 2 IFTAs later The Apprentice has come to an end. Onto the next chapter.”

It might have been something you had to watch from behind the couch at times, but The Apprentice could be entertaining enough fare, particularly after the weaker candidates had been weeded out early on.

We’re eagerly looking forward to more programmes of the calibre of Tallafornia, Dublin’s Housewives and Boozed Up Irish Abroad that TV3 will be broadcasting in its stead.