Claude Littner won't appear on new series of The Apprentice after horror accident

He's been replaced by former winner Tim Campbell

Author: Alex RossPublished 8th Jul 2021
Last updated 8th Jul 2021

Millionaire businessman Claude Littner will not feature on the next series of The Apprentice after a horror cycling accident which left him needing nine operations on his right leg.

Claude, who joined the popular BBC show as Lord Alan Sugar's aide back in 2015, endured the nasty injury by falling off an electric bike in April, with him now having to learn how to walk again due to his injuries.

Speaking about the horrendous ordeal, Claude said: “I was just pottering along, I must have been doing no more than 10 kilometres an hour on this sort of two-track road.

“The next thing I knew, I was on the left hand side of the street, my bike was in the middle of the road and I didn't know what happened. I suspect I hit a pothole or something like that.

“But, I must have blanked out at the moment of impact, because the next thing I knew, I was lying on the ground."

Claude was rushed to the trauma unit at St Mary's Hospital following the accident and is currently recovering at home before his next surgery on 19th July.

After the news broke today of Claude's accident, the 72-year-old wrote on Twitter: 'Massive thanks to my plastic surgeon Matt Ives & orthopaedic surgeon Ian Sinha for care & brilliant surgery, also the wonderful nurses at St Mary's Hospital trauma unit.'

With Claude not being able to take part in the next series of The Apprentice, bosses have now confirmed former winner Tim Campbell will sit in for him until he's fit enough to return.

Speaking of the temporary replacement, Lord Sugar said: “Claude has been part of the series since the beginning and is leaving an important boardroom chair to temporarily fill. I’ve been speaking to him regularly about his recovery, and of course hope we see him back in the boardroom very soon. In the meantime, my former winner Tim Campbell will step into Claude’s seat and be my eyes and ears as the candidates face a tough set of business challenges in the upcoming series.”

Tim added: “I’m excited to be looking after Claude’s boardroom chair while he recuperates and look forward to seeing what the candidates come up with on this year’s tasks. I was saddened by the circumstances which led to getting the call from Lord Sugar, but having been on the show myself, I know the hard work that goes into it – so I didn’t take the decision lightly. I wish Claude the very best as he recovers.”

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Just like many shows, The Apprentice was postponed last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, much to the disappointment of fans.

The show is set to return in early 2022.

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