The business themed reality TV show, which was switched to BBC Two from BBC One for the new series, dropped around 200,000 viewers compared to last week's first show, but once again triumphed over Channel 4's 'Grand Designs' in the 9 to 10pm time slot, earning a 19.6% audience share.
The second episode featured a surprise double firing, with contestants Ifti Chaudri and Rory Laing finding their time on the show short-lived. The elimination of two contestants leaves 13 hopefuls vying for an apprenticeship at Sugar's company, Amstrad.
BBC Two's spin-off show, 'The Apprentice: You're Fired!' continued the momentum, with a respectable viewing figure of 2m and a 9.4% audience share, in its 10 to 10.30pm time slot.
'Grand Designs', the house-building reality show presented by Kevin McCloud, put in a strong performance but it was not enough to unseat 'The Apprentice'. Last night's show pulled in 3.6m viewers and a 14.9% share.
ITV1's new celebrity magazine themed reality show, 'Deadline', debuted with 800,000 viewers and an 8.4% audience share in the 11pm time slot. The show features a team of celebrities playing the parts of journalists on a celebrity gossip magazine, which will be given away free with Emap's weekly Closer.
The celebrities, who include pin-up Abi Titmuss, comedian Dom Joly and former radio presenter Lisa I'Anson, are led by editor, Janet Street-Porter.
The show follows the standard reality TV show format, with contestants being fired one by one until a winner is crowned.
The BBC's World Cup cricket highlights fared well in a late night time slot. The BBC One highlights drew in 800,000 viewers and a 15% audience share at 11.45pm.
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