LORD SUGAR’s transformation from grumpy git to king of comedy on The Apprentice hasn’t gone unnoticed by his sidekick.
Karren Brady says his shift in tone was inevitable because the billionaire tycoon is naturally funny.
And she has also shot down rumours he has hired a gag writer, claiming all his one-liners are his own.
Speaking exclusively, Karren — a boardroom aide to Lord Sugar on the hit TV series — says: “His jokes are all off the cuff. Nothing is scripted.
“What you see actually happens. There’s no autocue, no retakes, no nothing.
“None of us know what’s going to be said or come out in the boardroom until he starts asking the questions.”
On Lord Sugar’s new-found bubbly nature, she adds: “His persona on television is that he’s quite stern and grumpy. But actually I’ve spent a lot of time with him and we’re friends — and he is an incredibly witty and very funny individual.”
I revealed earlier this month that Lord Sugar has significantly upped his gags in recent years.
In this season’s opener he made 12 jokes — more than the combined total that he cracked in the show’s first 11 seasons.
Karren has been Lord Sugar’s assistant on the BBC1 series for 15 years and will be there again in tonight’s episode, along with his other sidekick, previous winner Tim Campbell, when candidates are tasked with launching a new Formula E team.
West Ham vice-chair Karren has received plenty of TV offers away from the show, including Strictly Come Dancing.
But The Apprentice is the only job for her, and that’s down to Lord Sugar himself.
She says: “I do The Apprentice not because I want to be on TV. I love the ethos, which is to show how to run a business and be an entrepreneur and build resistance. I love the outcome.
“Alan’s invested millions of pounds into businesses through this show and many of them are hugely successful and it changes the winner’s life.
“They’re turning over millions of pounds and they employ hundreds of people. It’s a show with a real purpose — it’s not a glittery ball you win.”
Presumably she finds Strictly’s offers laughable too.
Alan’s stylish design team
ALAN Carr will be joined by a batch of new Interior Design Masters next month.
The comedian and his co-host, interiors guru Michelle Ogundehin, will guide the ten-strong group through a series of challenges as they battle to win a life-changing design contract.
The competitors have a diverse range of craft specialties.
Benat takes inspiration from the 19th century, while Francesca dresses as a doll.
World traveller Roisin, professional designer Hannah and stay-at-home-dad Anthony also plan on making a colourful statement.
While artist Domnall, brutalist-design fan Matt and upholsterer Jess will be using their passion for a vintage vibe.
Kenyan-born Ash is keen to show off African prints while Sheree loves Scandi chic.
Interior Design Masters With Alan Carr airs from March 12 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
LONG-awaited ITV thriller Red Eye sees Matthew (Fool Me Once’s Richard Armitage) accused of murder after a business trip to China, and embroiled in an escalating conspiracy.
The six-parter features Heart of Stone’s Jing Lusi as DC Hana Li, who helps lift the lid on the ploy.
Dancing on Ice in here
DANCING On Ice bosses are throwing everything at the series finale by bringing in a huge format shake-up.
I can exclusively reveal that for the first time, FOUR couples will make the final of the ITV1 show.
So just one of the remaining celeb skaters – Greg Rutherford, Adele Roberts, Miles Nazaire, Amber Davies and Ryan Thomas – will be eliminated in Sunday’s semi-final.
A show source said: “With Dancing On Ice now in its sixteenth season, producers have made a conscious effort to reinvent the wheel this series.
“It’s going to make Sunday’s semi-final tenser than ever – the stakes are as high as they can be.”
The show airs at 6.30pm.
Mo sails back to Square
EASTENDERS legend Mo Harris will return to Albert Square this spring.
Laila Morse reprises her role three years after she headed off into the sunset on a cruise with fiancé, Fat Elvis (Shenton Dixon).
The actress, who had been at the centre of the soap’s biggest plots for two decades, will arrive with the help of her great-grandson Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier).
While the storyline surrounding her return remains under wraps, it will be revealed that she has been living nearby in her caravan since leaving Walford.
Laila said: “I’m delighted to be coming home to Walford to bring Mo back to life. EastEnders holds such a special place in my heart.
“I can’t wait to be reunited with my on-screen family, who are like my family, as well as old and new faces.”
HIDDEN Treasures of the National Trust is returning for a second series on BBC Two.
The team will travel to a Buckinghamshire manor, a 16-sided Devonshire home and a sprawling Dorset country estate to delve into the curious collections of their former owners.
Lenny’s Red Nose finale
SIR Lenny Henry will host his final Comic Relief next month, aided by Love Island presenter Maya Jama, comic Rosie Ramsey, and other celebs including Joel Dommett, David Tennant and Davina McCall.
Red Nose Day’s Night of TV, on BBC One on March 15, will feature Steve Coogan as character Alan Partridge and Claudia Winkleman in The Traitors: The Movie.
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reunite for a fundraising message, plus darts sensation Luke Littler, money maestro Martin Lewis and the cast of Gladiators also appear.
Chris Evans will give audiences the chance to win a James Bond-style car.
Live sketches and performances will continue late into the evening, ahead of a one-hour episode dedicated to Lenny 39-year stint hosting Red Nose Day.