Lord Alan Sugar has confirmed 'The Apprentice' will return in October.

The 70-year-old businessman took to his Twitter account to reveal the popular BBC One show will be back on TV later this autumn for a 13th series.

In response to a fan's question about when the programme will return to the small screen, he simply wrote: "October"

The business show began in February 2005 and has amassed 12 series, with Lord Sugar fronting each one.

He is currently assisted by no-nonsense aides Claude Littner and Karren Brady, while Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford previously held the roles.

Last year's series was won by 24-year-old baker Alana Spencer, who managed to persuade Lord Sugar to invest £250,000 into her cake company Ridiculously Rich By Alana.

Following her victory, she told BANG Showbiz: "It's incredible. I don't think anyone thought at the beginning - including myself - that it would ever be me. I've massively learnt not to take things so seriously and not to take things to heart so much.

"I've won £250,000 and grown as a person as well. I had an email earlier saying that a few more legal things have to be done and then the money will transferred to my bank account."

Alana beat off competition from Courtney Wood in the final as his pleas for Lord Sugar to invest in his novelty gifts company fell on deaf ears.

In December, Claude hinted he would be back on the show in 2017.

He said: "Unless I get fired, I think there's every chance! You never know! But I think I'll be back next year."