The Apprentice star ‘very sad’ about Claude Littner replacement ‘Incredibly honoured’

The Apprentice: Alan Sugar grills Tim Campbell in season one

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Challenging the hungriest hopefuls in the business world, Alan Sugar will soon be returning to BBC One for the long-awaited new series of The Apprentice. The 74-year-old investor would usually be assisted by Baroness Karren Brady and business executive Claude Littner. However, after suffering from a serious cycling accident, Claude sadly won’t be making an appearance on the show this time around. Fortunately for viewers at home, a former winner will take his seat in the fiery boardroom instead. 

Earlier this year, it was revealed that entrepreneur Tim Campbell would replace Claude in the upcoming season. 

After becoming the first-ever winner of The Apprentice after the multi-award-winning show launched in 2005, Tim has since worked alongside Lord Sugar for years.

In an interview with The Radio Times, the 44-year-old gushed over his return, he confessed: “I was incredibly honoured.”

He later added: “Although very sad because I have huge respect for Claude.” 

The business mogul recalled: “The Apprentice was a chapter 17 years ago.

“To open up to millions of people could have an impact.” 

Littner, who has been involved in The Apprentice since the very first series, is taking some time off to recover following a cycling injury earlier in the year.

Unfortunately for Alan’s 72-year-old co-star, his accident was considered to be so grave, doctors had contemplated amputating his right leg. 

After the programme announced it would be back on January 6, 2022, Lord Sugar revealed Claude’s absence from the coming series won’t be permanent.

On joining the show, Tim said:  “I had to remember I was going to be part of somebody else’s journey.” 

He added: “Who is going to be in exactly the same position as me.” 

Speaking ahead of the 16th season, Tim said: “That was incredibly exciting and humbling.”

The star added: “I cannot wait for you to see what happens.”

Over a period of 12 weeks, 16 business-hungry candidates from across the country compete to win an impressive £250,000.

While going head-to-head in a series of challenges, one contestant will be fired from the boardroom each week.

Series 15 concluded at the end of 2019 before production for a follow-up series was halted due to COVID-19, which has left the show off air for two years.

The show, which was created by TV producer Mark Burnett, was billed as The Ultimate Job Interview and later became a success in the US with former President Donald Trump portraying the host in the celebrity equivalent.

After Trump announced his run for the presidency, NBC later revealed that actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would become the new boss.

Comedian Tom Allen will be returning as host for The Apprentice: You’re Fired, which will air each week on BBC Two straight after the main show.

Two special episodes, The Final Five and Why I Fired Them, will also feature before the finale. 

The Apprentice will air weekly on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One from January 6, followed by You’re Fired on BBC Two 

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