The next!

[EngLearner]

Suppose there's a line with several people in it, and there's a person who does something for each person in the line as they pass them by. After a person in the line gets what they need, they move on, and the person who has served them says:

The next!

Is the definite article required here?

 

[5jj]

No.

 

[EngLearner]

Would it be wrong if it were used in this context?

 

[5jj]

It would be less natural.

 

[emsr2d2]

I can't imagine hearing it with the article at all. You'll hear:

Next!
Next, please!
Who's next?

 

[Rover_KE]

It would be unnatural.

(I wrote this after reading post #4 but forgot to hit 'Post reply'.)