The team names were missing from The Apprentice episode 1 – and viewers are not happy

The Apprentice 2018 candidates left the UK for Malta in this year's launch episode, but they seem to have forgotten to pack one important thing: a team name.

Normally the first episode features an excruciating brainstorming session between the candidates about their team name, which usually ends up being something like "Team Hydra" or "Team Empire" or "Team Apex". It's a cringey but essential part of The Apprentice formula.

• “I’m sorry I’m not posh!”: Fired Apprentice candidate Sarah Byrne explains class feud with Jasmine Kundra
• Lord Sugar: the BBC doesn't understand the power of The Apprentice
• Stay up to date with the RadioTimes.com newsletter

But not this year. As the candidates travelled to find and buy objects for Lord Sugar, the show skipped straight over the naming of the teams.

Ahead of the episode, fans of the Apprentice were anticipating (and dreading) this year's picks...

But then it became clear: something was missing.

Despite all the mockery of the bad team names, it seems you don't know what you got 'til it's gone... and Apprentice fans are seriously missing the usual disasters.

The Apprentice airs on Wednesdays at 9pm on BBC1

Sign up for the free RadioTimes.com newsletter