The BBC looks set to make Young Apprentice 2012 the last series according to reports.

The reality TV show which is sponsored by Lord Sugar features a group of twelve young people, aged 16 and 17, who competes to win a £25,000 prize from Lord Sugar.

Two series of the show have already aired on BBC One, with 17-year-old Arjun Rajyagor taking the prize fund in 2010 and Zara Brownless walking away with the cash in 2012.

A third series is expected to air later this year; however insiders claim it will be the last one, telling The Sun:

“Lord Sugar is passionate about encouraging kids to become entrepreneurs but he won’t be doing more.

“He hasn’t got time to do it and neither have Karren Brady or Nick Hewer. Everyone is very proud of it but that’s it for the foreseeable future.”

The 2012 series is expected to be screened this October and the decision to axe the format going forward is believed to be based on the ratings, after the show attracted less than half the viewers than usually watch the adult version earlier in the year.