THE APPRENTICE: TIM CAMPBELL JOINS LORD SUGAR'S TEAM

Lord Sugar has appointed former winner and entrepreneur Tim Campbell (MBE) to cover the role of one of his boardroom’s aides in BBC One’s The Apprentice, as Claude Littner takes a one-series break.

Alongside Baroness Karren Brady, Tim will be scrutinising the candidates as they’re put through their paces in a series of testing tasks and compete to win a life-changing £250,000 investment for their business, in what remains the toughest interview process in town.

Claude Littner, who has been involved in The Apprentice since the very first series, is taking some time off to recuperate following an operation earlier in the year.

Lord Sugar says: “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.”

Claude Littner says: “I’m hugely grateful to all the surgeons and nursing staff at St Marys Hospital for their incredible care and getting me on the road to recovery. Whilst I’m disappointed that I won’t be out and about covering the tasks or in boardroom for this upcoming series, I’ll most definitely be glued to the action from my sofa.”

Tim Campbell says: “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.”

The Apprentice will return to BBC One in early 2022 and more details about the next series will be announced in due course.