Fans of The Apprentice were left gutted on Thursday night, when it was revealed that Claude Littner had to pull out of the new series, due to 'medical issues', right after returning to the BBC show following a horrifying bike accident.
Viewers were left gutted last year when Claude, aide to head honcho Sir Alan Sugar, was missing in action, due to suffering serious injuries and requiring extensive surgery to save his leg, following the freak accident; so it was to great delight that Claude was confirmed to be returning for 2023, giving an encouraging update on his health, during an appearance on Good Morning Britain before the first episode, saying: "It was a freak accident. I think someone was looking out for me but if someone was looking out for me better, I wouldn't have had the accident. I was lucky to have the ambulance driving behind me."
"I am doing wonderfully well, thank you. I am very grateful to the ambulance crew for looking after me and of course the surgeons at St Mary's who put me back together."
However, after all the excitement about him being back on The Apprentice, Claude's return proved to be short-lived, with Lord Sugar announcing: "Unfortunately, Claude suffered some medical issues and so I was asked to think of someone else," before the show's first ever winner, Tim Campbell, stepped in for the second year in succession.
Fans were gutted to learn of Claude's exit, but the man himself confirmed he would be back, directly responding to a concerned Twitter follower, to tell them he'd be doing the always tense and thoroughly entertaining interviews.
Another told him: "Missing you so much in The Apprentice already, Claude! However, I’m so glad you’ll be back for the interviews - my favourite episode!"
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