Claude Littner won't appear on new series of The Apprentice after horror accident
He's been replaced by former winner Tim Campbell
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.”
Check out the best comfort TV shows to binge watch on Freeview Play:
Married At First Sight Australia (All 4)
Although the UK version of Married At First Sight is brilliant, the Australian series takes the drama to the next level! You can watch series 4-9 on All 4 now.
If that's not enough, you can also watch MAFS UK, USA and New Zealand on All 4.
Ru Paul’s Drag Race (BBC iPlayer)
With series 4 airing, you can binge all of series 1, 2 and 3 right now on BBC iPlayer.
The Great British Bake Off (All 4)
Fancy reliving some of the best GBBO episodes? Series 1-5 of is available now on All 4. You can also catch up on weekly episodes of series 6.
The Durrells (ITV Hub)
Series 3 and 4 of ITV's British comedy-drama The Durrells is available to watch now on the ITV Hub.
Call the Midwife (BBC iPlayer)
You can watch series 1-11 of Call the Midwife, as well as some Christmas specials, on BBC iPlayer right now.
The Repair Shop
You can watch series 4-10 of The Repair Shop on BBC iPlayer, with experts Jay Blades, Suzie Fletcher, Steve Fletcher, Will Kirk, Kirsten Ramsay and Dominic Chinea.
The Simpsons (All 4)
A classic that never fails to cheer anybody up! The Simpsons is available on All 4.
Sherlock (BBC iPlayer)
If you missed it the first time around, series 1-4 of crime drama Sherlock, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, are available now on the BBC iPlayer.
First Dates (All 4)
Fancy some love in your life? Join some singletons at Fred Sirieix's First Dates restaurant, with series 1-19 available on All 4.
First Dates Hotel and Teen First Dates are also available to watch.
Our Yorkshire Farm
Follow the lives of Amanda and Clive Owen and their nine children as they work and live on their sheep farm in Swaledale. Series 1-5 are available on MY5.
The Vicar of Dibley (BBC iPlayer)
Series 1-3, as well as the 2004 and 2006 Christmas specials are available to watch on the BBC iPlayer. The special 'lockdown' episode, which aired in December 2020, is also available for fans to catch up.
Taskmaster (All 4)
Series 1-13 of BAFTA-award winning game show Taskmaster, hosted by Greg Davies, are also available on All 4 right now.
MasterChef
Let your mouth water as Gregg Wallace and John Torode try and find the next MasterChef. As well as a number of celebrity series, you can watch series 15-18 of MasterChef on the BBC iPlayer.
You can also watch episodes of Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef Australia.
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.
Now read:
Lord Sugar confirms The Apprentice is cancelled for 2020
The best TV crime dramas to binge watch right now
Peaky Blinders COMPLETES filming on final ever season