The Apprentice: Claude Littner confirms his return to the series for intense interview stages

Virgin Radio

8 Mar 2022, 14:50

Credit: Rex

Credit: Rex

Good news Apprentice fans - Claude Littner is heading back to the boardroom very soon!

Lord Sugar’s advisor has been away this series while recovering from a nasty cycling accident, and until now, it was thought Claude wouldn’t be able to return at all for the current run. 

Now, Claude has confirmed he’s heading back for those famously intense interviews, set to take place on 17th March. 

He told virginradio.co.uk: “I’m back! But, just for the interview stage of the process. Obviously, there’s not a huge amount I can say without giving too much away but I just hope that when it airs next week [Thursday 17th March, 9pm], well I hope everyone thinks it was worth the wait.”

Despite still being in recovery, Claude insists he’s feeling ‘absolutely fantastic’ and excited to see the candidates sweat through the nail-biting interviews. 

It was Lord Sugar who personally reached back out to Claude to see if we would return sooner rather than later, as Claude explained: “Alan arrived at my house one day (although he phoned me almost daily!) and he just said, “You will do the interviews, won’t you?” and I replied, ‘Yes, of course’. 

“The moment it came out of my mouth I was thinking, how on earth am I actually going to do it? The truth is, by the time it came to filming I was feeling better but the team had been so kind and gone to so much trouble so I could be involved.”

The Apprentice’s first winner, Tim Campbell, took over from Claude in this series, and while he believes Tim has ‘done a sterling job’, the business expert said he’s missed the excitement around the series when its airing - particularly from fans. 

When he asked what he missed most, Claude said to virginradio.co.uk: “This is going to sound a bit peculiar, but I do quite like being out and about and getting recognised!

“Even though I may come across a bit mean on the show, no-one ever walks on the other side of the street when they see me, and people are generally friendly. They want to talk… they’ve always been very friendly, and I honestly just get a lot of pleasure from meeting people. 

“They just love the show and it’s nice that they love to see me on it and I’m always very happy to take a selfie with them. Personally, I quite enjoy it!”

So obviously the question on everyone’s mind is if Claude will return full time next series. 

When quizzed about his future, Claude explained: “I certainly feel well enough to come back and am very optimistic, but the focus for the moment is about shining the spotlight on the remaining candidates in this series and finding the next successful business for Alan to invest in.”

Claude previously teased his return to next year's series on Twitter, telling fans he was 'gearing up' to return after this current series comes to an end.

Catch Claude’s return for the penultimate episode of The Apprentice on Thursday 17th March, 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Advertisement

Advertisement