Comedian, writer and actor Tom Allen is the new host of BBC Two’s The Apprentice: You’re Fired, as exclusively revealed this morning on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

The Apprentice: You’re Fired, BBC Two’s popular companion show to The Apprentice, is the series which sees candidates compete to go into business with Lord Sugar.

Each week, Tom will be joined on the show by a panel of business gurus, celebrity fans and quick-witted comedians, as he attempts to find out exactly where it all went wrong for each of the unsuccessful candidates, while adding his own, unique take on events. Self-confessed Apprentice super-fan Tom will offer viewers a witty and exciting take on each week’s biggest wins and most disastrous decisions, all in front of a live studio audience. As with previous series You’re Fired will air immediately after The Apprentice on BBC Two.

Tom Allen is a comedian, writer and actor. He started as a stand up at the age of 22 and went on to win both So You Think You’re Funny in Edinburgh and the BBC New Comedy Awards in the same year. Since then he has honed his unique style of sharp, acerbic wit and camp, riotous storytelling by performing to audiences during sell out tours across the UK and around the world. Tom’s television credits include: Bake Off: Extra Slice, Bake Off: The Professionals, Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo.

Tom Allen says: “I’m excited and humbled to be joining this wonderful, much loved show as host. I’m looking forward to analysing, satirising and, dare I say, celebrating the many ‘interesting’ choices the candidates make during their Apprentice journey whilst gaining valuable insight into the business world.”

The previous host of You’re Fired, Rhod Gilbert has decided to step down from the role after three series due to commitments on his successful live tour.

Rhod Gilbert says: “I'm back on the road after a seven year break, and with such a busy stand-up touring schedule, it's time to hand over the reins of You’re Fired to someone else. The brilliant Tom Allen is going to smash it. In a good way.”

Kate Phillips, Controller Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, says: “I’d like to thank Rhod for his fantastic three years in the hot seat, but the show will be in very safe hands as Tom will bring audiences at home and in the studio his own unique take on the weekly tasks and what happens in the Apprentice boardroom.”

The Apprentice and The Apprentice: You’re Fired both return to the BBC later this year.

The Apprentice: You’re Fired is produced by Boundless (part of Fremantle) for BBC Two and airs weekly straight after BBC One’s The Apprentice. The Executive Producers are Cal Turner, Head of Popular Factual, Paul Broadbent and Amanda Sangorski. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Sarah Clay.