Lord Sugar warns Gordon Ramsay 'stick to your day job' over Apprentice 'rip off' in rant

Lord Alan Sugar has launched a scathing attack at Gordon Ramsay and says the chef should "stick to your day job".

The entrepreneur, 75, blasted Ramsay's Future Food Stars as a "virtual rip off" of The Apprentice.

The businessman turned TV star has been at the help of The Apprentice for 17 years and thinks other broadcasters have attempted to replicate the elimination process of his BBC show - and failed.

Future Food Stars launched last year and sees contestants compete for financial backing for their food and drink businesses from chef Gordon, 56.

Lord Sugar has fronted The Apprentice, which sees candidates compete for his business investment, since 2005 and the show returns for its 17th series tonight.

Lord Alan Sugar has fronted The Apprentice since it launched in 2005 (BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston)

He's now told Gordon Ramsay to stick to cooking, after the chef launched a food business related show (Getty Images North America)

He told the Daily Mail that Gordon's show was a "cockamamie idea".

He continued: "I like [him] and I think he's very good and should stick to what he should do, cooking and all that stuff.

"I don't know how the lawyers allowed it because it was a virtual rip-off of The Apprentice. No disrespect to Gordon but stick to your day job mate that's all I would say."

Gordon has previously acknowledged similarities between his show and The Apprentice.

Gordon's Future Food Stars launched last year (BBC/Studio Ramsay)

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He described his series - which also airs on the BBC - as a "food and drink lifestyle business show". He teased at the time that it may "rub" Lord Sugar's feathers "the wrong way" according to the RadioTimes.

Gordon further commented: "I think I've lost a customer there. Who gives a f**k? [...] But all jokes apart, I'm a big fan of The Apprentice."

Lord Sugar, pictured with candidates from this year's The Apprentice, described Gordon's show as a 'rip off' (BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston)

Lord Sugar's remarks come ahead of the new series of the Apprentice, which launches tonight. It will see 18 candidates compete to win his £250,000 investment.

The Mirror approached reps for Gordon and the BBC.

The Apprentice returns tonight from 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars is set to return later this year, with a launch date yet to be announced.

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