If you've been keeping an eye on the Twitter machine and the tabloids this weekend than you'll probably be aware that The Apprentice is set to return to TV3 this year, sans big boss Bill Cullen.

Yep, it's a well known fact that Mr Penny Apples has been replaced by Caroline Downey Desmond, philanthropist and one half of the power couple behind MCD Promotions. What we didn't know however, was that CEO of Quote Devil (and husband of Xpose's Karen Koster) John McGuire and former politician Liz O'Donnell would be Desmond's Nick and Margaret. The Irish Mail on Sunday revealed that the pair would be joining the new series as mentors, much to their delight.

McGuire and his missus took to Twitter over the weekend to celebrate, while O'Donnell gave her two cents to the Irish Independent today. "I am stepping outside my comfort zone - I haven't done much in broadcasting, especially any kind of broadcasting outside of the political sphere, so it'll be interesting, but good fun" she said.

There isn't too much information floating about with regard to contestants just yet, but we have heard several reports that singer Francis Black, model Daniella Moyles and Boyzone's Mikey Graham are among those involved.

Seriously now though lads, it just won't be the same without Bill, and of course Jackie Lavin.