THE new series of The Apprentice began with Claude Littner absent from his usual position beside Lord Sugar.
He was replaced by former winner of the show Tim Campbell. Here’s what we know.
Born on 4 May, 1949, in New York City, Claude is a business executive with an impressive CV.
While he is perhaps best known for his appearances on The Apprentice, there is more to him than his role in the hit TV show.
Following his work in accountancy, he became a turnaround specialist. He has been a chairman for many companies, including some of Lord Alan Sugar’s companies in the likes of Amstrad International, Amstrad Spain and Dancall Telecom.
In 2009, Alan handed him a majority of his UK directorships, which includes the chairman post at Viglen.
From 1993 to 1998, he was also Tottenham Hotspur F.C’s Chief Executive.
In 2015, he replaced Nick Hewer, Alan’s aide, in The Apprentice.
Following his long and successful career, Claude is at the head of his own fortune.
According to spearswms.com and as of 2021, he is worth £34 million.
This is nowhere near Lord Alan Sugar’s net worth, however, estimated at a whopping £1.25 billion, according to Metro.co.uk.
Claude will not be taking part in the next series of The Apprentice following an accident he has had back in April, 2021.
He injured his right leg while riding his electric bike.
Lord Alan Sugar is said to be frequently in touch with him.
Tim Campbell has now replaced Claude on The Apprentice until further notice.
Tim won the first edition of The Apprentice back in 2005.
While “excited” for his new role in the programme, he has admitted he was “saddened” by the news of Claude’s injury.
“Having been on the show myself, I know the hard work that goes into it, so I didn’t take the decision lightly”, he said. “I wish Claude the very best as he recovers.”
Winning the competition allowed Tim to work for Lord Alan Sugar for a year, earning a salary of £100,000.
In 2012, he became a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to Enterprise Culture.
He also co-founded digital marketing agency Marketing Runners Ltd back in 2016.
The injury was so bad, doctors reportedly thought of amputating Claude’s leg.
As part of his recovery, he has already undergone over nine surgeries.
Speaking of his injury, Claude said he had been “pottering around”, near his home in London.
“I suspect I hit a pothole or something like that”, he said, according to the BBC, “the next thing I knew, I was lying on the ground.”
When Claude was a turnaround specialist he met Lord Alan Sugar, and agreed to chair a number of Sugar’s companies.
In 2009 Lord Sugar resigned from a majority of his UK company directorships, handing over his former management duties to Claude, including the chairman’s post at Viglen.
And on top of that when Lord Sugar was majority owner and chairman of Tottenham Hotspur football club, Claude was its Chief Executive from 1993 to 1998.
Claude has been married to a woman named Thelma since 1976.
While not much is known about Thelma, she does appear alongside Claude during public events and acts as his rock behind the scenes.
This isn’t the first time Thelma has supported and helped her husband overcome health issues.
In 1997, she was at his side when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
They have two sons named Anthony and Alex and also have five grandchildren.
