The Apprentice returns to our TV screens this month and in advance the new run, we have brought you the first official pictures of the show’s stars.

Tom Gearing, Duane Bryan, Adam Corbally, Michael Copp, Azhar Siddique, Nick Hozherr, Ricky Martin, Stephen Brady, Bilyana Apostolova, Laura Hogg, Maria O’Connor, Jenna Whittingham, Jane McEvoy, Gabrielle Omar, Katie Wright and Jade Nash will be the 16 candidates battling it it out in a series of entrepreneurial challenges, for a £250,000 investment in a business of the candidate’s creation, with Lord Alan Sugar as a 50% owner.

The Amstrad boss recently revealed that the show will be launching on the 21st March, just days before the reality TV year really kicks off with The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent on the 24th.

It is thought that the 2012 series follow much of the same format at the 2011 run, however Sugar joked that he has a few tricks up his sleeves and in a jibe at his long term rival Piers Morgan, wrote:

Thinking of altering format of Apprentice. Instead of sending candidates to loser cafe,force them to watch @piersmorgan DVD “Me and my ego”

Nick Hewer and Karren Brady will be back, as Sugar’s trusty aides and will cast their beady eyes over the hopefuls week after week, reporting their findings and opinions back to the ever gruff Sugar.

Series seven of the Apprentice was won by 31 year old inventor Tom Pellereau[93] with Helen Louise Milligan coming second.

Check out the pictures below and back with Unreality TV later today for loads more Apprentice spoilers and gossip!