Donald Trump tipped as presidential candidate

WASHINGTON - Tonight in the US the new series of Celebrity Apprentice will put billionaire Donald Trump back on TV screens.

By next year, his name could be on the presidential ballot.

Among major Republican figures put forward in a CNN poll, the real estate magnate and reality TV show king had the highest "positive" rating among Republican hopefuls at 26 per cent.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney - he lost out to John McCain in the 2008 primaries - was close behind, with a 25 per cent positive rating.

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenrty had a 10 per cent positive rating. House Speaker John Boehner (not a prospective presidential candidate) had a 20 per cent positive rating.

Sarah Palin enjoyed about 8 per cent support.

Trump himself says he won't declare whether or not he has an interest in running for president until later in the year.