'The Apprentice' star to blog on iVillage

NBC Universal's iVillage.co.uk has today started streaming a special version of CNBC's Strictly Money programme, backed by an expert blog from former The Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry.

Hosted by CNBC anchor Ross Westgate, the series of five-minute weekly Strictly Money programmes will feature a range of interviews with business and political leaders, along with practical advice aimed at iVillage's female audience.

CNBC journalists will provide weekly articles on the site and Dewberry - winner of The Apprentice in 2006 and author of Anything Is Possible - will be a resident blogger offering daily advice on financial matters.

Online community iVillage said that it took the decision to boost its financial advice programming and content in response to requests from users.

"From listening to our active and passionate female community it became clear that there was need for greater consumer advice on personal and small business financial issues," said iVillage head of business development Lulu Phongmany.

"Questions ranged from what the Budget meant in real terms to family life, and how to grow a small business. As a result The Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry joins us as our financial expert to give daily, hands-on advice.

"Working with the resources of NBC Universal and the expertise of business and financial news channel, CNBC, our weekly series will answer these questions, and more, and continues building iVillage.co.uk's reputation with our audience and advertisers alike as a destination for quality video content."

CNBC's Strictly Money executive producer Jen Callegher added: "Strictly Money on iVillage.co.uk will address consumer finance issues, as well as those of small business owners interested in the UK economy or their personal financial future as the economy slowly recovers.

"The new online series will feature a range of issues that people can act upon immediately, including pensions, investments, savings, mortgages, insurance and the latest news from the Treasury. Speaking to a range of experts, this new consumer finance programme will give viewers all they need to make beneficial, informed decisions when managing their financial affairs."

The streaming of Strictly Money follows iVillage's broadcast of 16-part exclusive web-TV series, Trinny and Susannah: What They Did Next, in June.