Piers Morgan says BBC couldn\'t "afford" him for \'The Apprentice\'.
Although Lord Alan Sugar doesn\'t have any plans to leave the boardroom on the business reality show for another five series, his rival has responded after topping a survey for a potential replacement when he does eventually step aside.
Following RadioTimes.com\'s poll, the outspoken \'Good Morning Britain\' broadcaster said: "The people have spoken, and they have spoken very loudly.
"I don\'t think the BBC can afford me, but given the scale of this landslide win, they may want to break the bank to try.
"I\'d bring a younger, faster, more handsome and dynamic feel to proceedings."
The 54-year-old star also took aim at the candidates on the Beeb show, and insisted if he was at the helm there would be a stricter selection process.
He added: "Lord Sugar has encouraged a bunch of halfwits to come on and make fools of themselves.
"I would make a Mensa test compulsory for all candidates on my show. Under 140 and you\'re not coming on."
As expected Lord Sugar, 72, didn\'t react well to the poll, and took aim at his longtime rival with a scathing response on Twitter.
He wrote: "The BBC has considered the Radio Times survey of @bbcapprentice and in recognition of @piersmorgan strong views on gender employment fairness they have decided to remove the female boardroom receptionist and offer him the position. (sic)"
Meanwhile, Lord Sugar recently defended his show - which he has fronted for almost two decades - and took aim at other TV programmes for not providing the same level of opportunities and support once the cameras stop rolling.
He tweeted: "Unlike some TV reality shows where the winners get their 15 minutes of fame and then fade into obscurity, #TheApprentice winners build multi-million pound businesses, creating wealth and jobs."
