Record viewers for Apprentice

IT may be considered by some to have lost its allure, but TV3 show The Apprentice has seen its audience numbers rocket by more than 100,000 in a single year.

Amid bizarre 11-month calendar projects, Playboy TV revelations and more than a few penny apple references, the Bill Cullen-led programme has seen its appeal soar in its third Irish season.

This evening, one of the two remaining competitors to become Mr Cullen’s latest apprentice — Niamh McDonald and Michelle Massey — will be able to reveal their fate to the public.

And despite, or perhaps because of a growing perception among critics that the show has become little more than car-crash television after a spate of mistakes from contestants, the winner’s confidence will be further boosted by the news they have been watched by an average of 550,000 viewers per episode.

Figures released by TV3 on the eve of the series finale tonight show that more than half a million people tuned in on average during the course of this year’s show.

Viewing numbers peaked at just over 600,000 on a number of occasions, including last Monday’s boardroom revelations.

These included Ms Massey’s confirmation that she auditioned for a Playboy TV presenting role almost a decade ago.

The numbers compare favourably to the 2009 series when viewing levels rose from 240,000 to 450,000 as Skibbereen -based Steve Rayner was crowned Cullen’s favourite.

An average of 250,000 people watched each instalment of the after- show, Apprentice: You’re Fired, compared to just over 180,000 the previous year, with a spokesperson stating that those behind the programme are pleased with its ongoing popularity in Ireland.

Tonight’s show, starting at 9pm, will be contested by 28-year-old Telco sales consultant Michelle Massey and 23-year-old marketing co-ordinator Niamh McDonald.