The Apprentice's Claude Littner reveals he hasn't been told if he will ever return to the boardroom after being replaced following a health problem

Apprentice star Claude Littner has lost his place on the show after suffering injuries in a cycling accident three years ago.

The businessman, 74, was previously an adviser to Lord Sugar alongside Karren Brady before being replaced by series one winner Tim Campbell.

However, Claude admitted it was 'not his decision' whether he returned to the boardroom, informing his followers that he has now 'fully recovered'.

It's not all bad news for Claude's fans, as the show favorite revealed he will return for the interview phase of the reality TV competition.

Claude made the confession during a conversation with a fan on I miss you on the show!'

He then replied, “Honestly, that's not my decision. I have fully recovered. Thank you.'

However, Claude revealed that he would return to The Apprentice for the interviews in episode 11, to question the remaining candidates about the feasibility of their business plans.

Responding to concerned fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, Claude confirmed, “I will,” when asked if he would return for the interviews.

He told another viewer that he would be back for: “Episode 11. Interviews.”

Upon his departure, Claude insisted that he would pay close attention to the candidates' antics from his couch rather than the boardroom.

He said in a statement: 'While I'm disappointed that I won't be out on the road on duties or in the boardroom for this upcoming series, I will certainly remain glued to the action from my sofa.'

Claude's replacement Tim – who was the first ever winner of the business reality competition almost 17 years ago – previously admitted he was stunned when his old mentor, Lord Alan Sugar, asked him to join the show – and he believed not that the offer was like that. initially authentic.

During an interview with Radio Times magazine, he recalled thinking: 'Is this a joke? I thought people with cameras were going to rush in and say, “I got you!” I thought, 'Why is he calling?' When he explained it, I said, “Are you serious?” It was angry.”

Having appeared on The Apprentice since 2015, viewers were saddened and concerned when Claude did not appear in the season's debut episode.

In even more positive news, Claude expressed the possibility that he could return fully for the 2025 season.

One fan tweeted: “Missing ClaudeLittner as a student again this year! Hoping he would come back…' to which Claude replied, 'Maybe next year. ''No dispersion''.'

At the start of the 2022 series, Claude was replaced by Tim at the last minute, with Sir Alan explaining to the candidates, “You may be wondering why this gentleman is here,” before pointing to Tim.

'Unfortunately Claude is not doing well and Tim will be assisting me for the next eleven weeks.'

Claude suffered serious injuries in a freak e-bike accident in April 2021. He underwent nine operations to save his leg and had to learn to walk again after the incident near his home in London.

As a result, Claude missed the final two seasons of The Apprentice as he focused on recovery. He briefly returned for a single episode in 2023, before Tim intervened again.

Last year Claude appeared on Good Morning Britain and gave a health update, saying: 'I'm doing wonderfully, thank you. I am very grateful to the ambulance crew for looking after me and of course to the surgeons at St Mary's who put me back together.

'It was a freak accident. I think someone was paying attention to me, but if someone paid more attention to me, I wouldn't have had the accident. I was lucky that the ambulance was behind me.

“I was just messing around, I must not have been driving faster than 10 kilometers per hour on a two-track road like that.”

'Before I knew it, I was sitting on the left side of the street, my bike was in the middle of the road and I didn't know what was happening.

'I suspect I drove into a pothole or something like that, but I must have been unconscious at the time of impact because before I knew it I was on the ground.'