Back in business

Claude Littner on his surprise return to the boardroom

- REBECCA FLETCHER

THE APPRENTICE THURSDAY / BBC1 / 9PM / EP 11 of 12 / REALITY

Claude Littner has been much missed from this year’s series of BBC1’s ever-popular competition The Apprentice.

Having almost lost his leg after a cycling accident last April, the formidable businessman, who usually acts as Lord Alan Sugar’s ‘eyes and ears’ alongside Karren Brady, had to pull out of the 16th series of the reality show.

However, in a shock twist, Claude is returning for the penultimate episode – the all-important interview round, where he’s renowned for tearing the remaining candidates’ business plans to shreds.

Here, Claude, 72, a former chairman of a number of companies, including Lord Sugar’s Amstrad International, tells us more…

Most importantly, Claude, how are you feeling after your terrible accident?

Absolutely fantastic. I’m raring to go and really looking forward to being back for the interview stage of the process.

Was it always the plan to come back for the interviews?

I’d written off this series, but Lord Sugar and the production team had other ideas!