The Apprentice: Karren Brady says Claude Littner is ‘on the mend’ and shares when he might return

Virgin Radio

10 Jan 2022, 12:51

The boardroom looks a bit different this series, with one regular missing from Lord Sugar's side.

Now, Baroness Brady has reassured fans that fellow adviser Claude Littner is making a good recovery after he had to pull out of the series after a nasty cycling accident. 

Claude was rushed to hospital back in April, and is currently learning to walk again following nine surgeries to help save his leg. 

For series 16, The Apprentices’ first winner Tim Campbell is keeping Claude’s seat warm behind the famous table, seventeen years after first being hired by Lord Sugar. 

Speaking to The Mirror, Karren revealed that Claude is ‘on the mend’ and ‘almost back to his best’ despite having a ‘difficult time’ in recovery. 

She continued: “It was impossible for him – as much as he would’ve loved it – to take part in the series. So Alan turned to Tim.”

When quizzed about Claude returning to the show in 2023, Karren simply said: “I very much hope so.” 

Karren also shared that she and Lord Sugar have a WhatsApp group with Claude to keep him apprised of what’s happening with the programme, which Karren admitted made it ‘kind of feel like he was there, but not there’. 

While it's unknown if Claude will return next year, newbie Tim recently revealed the best advice he was given by the adviser before he stepped into his shoes. 

Tim admitted he immediately called Claude after landing the job, and there was only one thing he had to say. 

He explained: “The only advice he said was just be true to yourself because that is the only thing you can really do. The beauty of the show is it's authenticity to focus on candidates, not on us as advisers.”

Meanwhile, Karren also confessed to the one piece of advice she’s followed throughout the series, and it might not be what you’d expect. 

While speaking at the launch event about the one lesson she’s learned from over the last decade, Karren told virginradio.co.uk: “Margaret decided she didn't want to do it any more and Alan asked me to fill her shoes. She phoned me and said ‘I'm telling you right now, wear trainers, you are on your feet 10 hours a day.’

“I didn't take her advice in the first episode. I wore heels, and at the end of my first day, I was laying in the bath, and my feet were throbbing. I quickly took her advice and wore trainers. I've learnt I can't be on my feet for 10 hours without trainers.”

Fans are certainly glad Karren and the team are back for another series, as Thursday’s first episode was the most-watched in 5 years, according to the BBC.

The debut of series 16 was watched by 4.6 million people nationwide, and made this first episode the most popular premiere since 2017.

Want to know who got the famous ‘You’re Fired’ finger last week? Check out our exclusive chat with former candidate Harry Mahmood here.