The Apprentice hopeful is a previous BBC star

Ricky Martin (top right) with other Apprentice hopefuls

'The Apprentice' contestant Ricky Martin has previously won £10,000 on another BBC show, 'Total Wipeout', and is said to have auditioned for numerous other programmes.

'The Apprentice' contestant Ricky Martin has previously won £10,000 on another BBC show.

The burly recruitment manager - who is also a part-time wrestler known as Ricky Hype - won tough endurance challenge programme 'Total Wipeout' in 2009.

The 26-year-old hopeful is described by pals as a "serial game show junkie" who loves being in the spotlight and has previously applied for numerous other shows, including 'Big Brother', the Daily Star newspaper reports.

During his appearance on 'Total Wipeout', Ricky boasted about his physique and branded rival contestants "nothing".

He said:" You better witness the fitness. I'm the hype and you better believe it."

Speaking about another competitor, he added: "He's nothing. I don't even know his name. I don't want to know his name."

Ricky celebrated his victory on the show by lifting programme co-host Amanda Byram over his head - but the beefcake was so unpopular with other contestants they then tried to push him back into the water.

'The Apprentice' returns to BBC next Wednesday (21.03.12) and will see Lord Alan Sugar whittle 16 hopefuls down to one who he wants to go into business with.