BOARDROOM TALK
Is Claude Littner on The Apprentice and what happened to him?
Plus find out how the businessman met Lord Alan Sugar
WITH its high drama and brutal firings, The Apprentice has been thrilling fans since it burst onto our television screens in 2005.
The show sees Lord Alan Sugar in charge with his trusted business associates - which includes his good pal Claude Littner.
4
Who is Claude Littner?
Born on 4 May, 1949, in New York City, Claude Littner is a business executive with an impressive CV.
Although he was born in the US, his family migrated to England soon after his birth.
While he is perhaps best known for his appearances on The Apprentice, there is more to the businessman than his role in the hit TV show.
Claude started his entrepreneurial career at the age of 13 when he started buying and selling blue chips on the stock market.
He then went onto gain a BA and MBA in Business Management and started his career as a Finance Manager at Unilever plc.
Following his work in accountancy, Claude became a turnaround specialist, and it was in that capacity that he met Lord Alan Sugar.
Since their first encounter in 1990, he has been a chairman for many of Alan's companies, which includes Amstrad International, Amstrad Spain and Dancall Telecom.
In 2009, Alan handed him a majority of his UK directorships, which included the chairman post at Viglen.
Most read in TV
Claude's other work with Lord Sugar included being the Tottenham Hotspur F.C's Chief Executive from 1993 to 1998, when Alan owned the club.
Separately, the businessman has been Chairman of Les Trois Lords, Azzuri Communications, ASCO the international oilfield support group, deputy Chairman of Blacks Leisure, director of Norton Way Motors and majority shareholder in Powerleague, the 5-a-side football company.
In 2014, Claude was appointed visiting Professor of the Claude Littner Business School at the University of West London.
In addition to his ongoing business interests, he is a Trustee of Blood Cancer UK and WIZO.
The talented star is also bilingual, having had a French education to Baccalaureate level.
The Apprentice's Claude Littner gives health update after 'freak' bike accident which left him needing NINE surgeries
What is Claude Littner's net worth?
Following his long and successful career, Claude has made a huge fortune.
As of 2024, he has an impressive net worth of £34M.
Although this is a lot of money, his good pal Lord Sugar is worth a whopping £1billion.
4
How did Claude Littner make his money?
Claude has made his money through his powerful jobs, and his impressive portfolio.
He also received a salary whilst working on The Apprentice, so this has boosted his fortune.
However, this is nowhere near Lord Alan Sugar's net worth, who has an estimated wealth of a whopping £1.2 billion.
Is Claude Littner married and does he have children?
Claude has been married to his wife Thelma since 1976.
The couple live together in the Mill Hill area of North London.
In 2019, Claude opened up about his relationship with his wife.
It was a freak accident. I was lucky to have the ambulance driving behind me."
Claude Littner
Speaking to to the : “If I look back at me, I was a nutcase. I just wanted to work.
“I didn’t want to take a holiday, because I was worried someone else might get ahead of me. I was obsessed with doing the job.
“I didn’t think I was making any sacrifices. The problem was my wife took the brunt of looking after the children. I took my path and was lucky enough to have a wife who would do that.
"She gave up her career and was wonderful looking after our two children and the house and doing all those things. I was lucky to have her.”
The happy couple have two sons named Anthony and Alex, and also have five grandchildren.
4
Why is Claude Littner not in the Apprentice?
In 2015, Claude replaced Nick Hewer on The Apprentice, as one of the judges on the series.
Alongside Karren Brady, he would advise the candidates and give his opinion on them to Lord Sugar.
He was a staple on the show until 2022, when he had to take a step back because of health issues.
Claude said in a statement at the time: “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.”
Instead Tim Campbell was drafted in to replace Claude, and he has been on the show ever since.
Lord Sugar said: "Unfortunately, Claude suffered some medical issues and so I was asked to think of someone else – and who better than somebody who's actually been through the process."
4
He added: “I’ve been speaking to him regularly about his recovery and, of course, hope we see him back in the boardroom very soon.”
Talking about bringing Tim in, Alan said: "So it was a bit of a no-brainer really, because when it comes to making excuses like these candidates do, you've got Tim there, who's been there, done that, seen it and heard it all," he continued.
"And that's why I warn the candidates also that there's no pulling the wool over his eyes, so to speak."
However, Claude has completely disappeared from the show.
For the 2024 series of The Apprentice he was on the interview panel.
This saw him scrutinise the candidates' business plans in the penultimate episode.
Claude also helped Lord Sugar pick his 2024 finalists.
What happened to Claude Littner?
In April 2021, Claude suffered a horror injury whilst cycling.
The businessman was riding an electric bike in London when he fell off.
Claude's right leg was so badly injured that doctors considered amputating it.
However, they managed to save it and he has since undergone ten surgeries.
In 2023, Claude give his fans an update on his health, and also talked about the horror accident.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain he said: "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.
"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."
Topics