At the end of every season of The Apprentice, Lord Alan Sugar hires a new business hopeful, but on Monday, the businessman made a hiring decision of a different kind - bringing on an old friend as his new advisor for the 11th season. Claude Littner, who Lord Sugar has known for 25 years, will replace Nick Hewer, who left the show after ten years in 2014.
No stranger to the show, Claude has previously spent time on the interview board which candidates have to go through towards the end of each season.
Claude is known for being feared by candidates and loved by audiences, and he will now join Baroness Karren Brady in following each team throughout their challenge and reporting back to Lord Sugar.
© Photo: BBCClaude Littner is no stranger to The Apprentice
"If the candidates think I am soft and fluffy, they haven't been watching me on The Apprentice over the past decade," Claude said in a statement on Monday.
"I will now be assessing their performance in the process, individually and within their teams. I will be reporting to Lord Sugar to play my part in ensuring that his personal investment of £250,000 goes to the best candidate.
"I'm ready, and this won't be a walk in the park!" he concluded.
Lord Sugar said: "I first worked with Claude in 1990 and trust his judgement completely. He will no doubt take a very different approach to Nick. It’s great to have him on board."
© Photo: Getty ImagesLord Alan Sugar at the BAFTAs in 2012
Claude has worked for Lord Sugar on various companies, and has for much of his career been involved in corporate turnarounds. He served as director for football club Tottenham Hotspur and currently chairs a number of Lord Sugar’s companies.
PR expert Nick, aged 70, said he thought it was the "appropriate time" to end his tenure in December, but said his departure was with "relief tinged with regret".
Nick has a long-standing relationship with Lord Sugar; the pair started working together in 1983 when Nick began promoting Alan's Amstrad brand.
