Claude Littner made a mighty return to The Apprentice for the first episode of the 2023 series, joining Baroness Karren Brady and Lord Alan Sugar as he put his newest batch of 18 candidates to the test.
As per usual, the cast is filled with big aspirations and even bigger egos, as the contestants vie to impress not only the main boss, but also his trusted aides, who follow them along every step of the way during their challenges.
While Claude watched his half of contestants like a hawk in the new series’ first episode, he had only been standing in for Tim Campbell MBE, the first ever winner, who had replaced Claude as an aide last year.
Last year became Tim’s first series by Lord Sugar’s side, and he has since returned to his seat in tonight’s second episode.
Lord Sugar explained in tonight’s episode: ‘Regretfully Claude has not been very well, so Tim, he will be assisting me for the next eleven weeks.’
Tim became Project Director of Lord Sugar’s company Amstrad’s new Health & Beauty section after winning the first series.
Tim stayed at Amstrad after his original 12-month contract expired, but in March 2007, after two years, he departed to start a perfume business, which he later abandoned.
He went on to have even more success, receiving an MBE in 2012 for Services to Enterprise Culture for his considerable work with social enterprise.
The 73-year-old, who stepped down after a tragic bike accident that resulted in nine operations, will return for the famed interview episode later this season.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk and other media at a recent press conference, Lord Sugar said of Claude’s absence and replacement: ‘Obviously it’s been a great journey starting with [former aide] Nick Hewer and then Claude.
‘Unfortunately, Claude suffered some medical issues and so I was asked to think of someone else – and who better than somebody who’s actually been through the process?
‘So it was a bit of a no-brainer really, because when it comes to making excuses like these candidates do, you’ve got Tim there, who’s been there, done that, seen it and heard it all.’
The Apprentice continues on Thursday at 9pm on BBC One.