The Apprentice rottweiler Claude Littner slams Lord Sugar’s jokes in the boardroom and claims they are scripted

LORD SUGAR has dished out more Apprentice one-liners than most of us have had hot dinners.

But right-hand man CLAUDE LITTNER has had enough of them.

He said: “I cringe a lot to be honest. Some are not great.”

And it turns out that the boardroom boss doesn’t even think them up on the spot.

According to Claude he spends time crafting the cheesy quips before surprising the candidates with them on the long-running BBC business show.

He explained: “They are all his lines but I don’t think they are mostly spontaneous. I think he has thought them up before.

“He’s not so good at the innuendos but he does do those one-liners that some people seem to enjoy. I’m not so keen on them I must say.”

But the business adviser said they’re “part of the show” and insisted the series could not keep going without Lord Sugar.

He said: “If Alan goes that’s the end of The Apprentice. With NICK HEWER leaving and me coming on it’s a transition. With MARGARET MOUNTFORD going and KARREN BRADY coming on it was a transition.

“The only one who is absolutely critical to the whole thing is Alan. If he goes we’ve had it.”

He’d have to come up with a good line for that . . .

Spooks scared Sal silly

So far it’s 2-0 to the ghosts on Celebrity Haunted Hotel Live.

Scaredy cats SALLY LINDSAY and EMMA KENNEDY have both fled the new reality show after claiming they were contacted by the dead.

TV stars have been checking in to a haunted hotel that is famous for ghostly goings on and things that go bump in the night.

Once inside, viewers of the show have been voting for them to take on all manner of creepy paranormal activities.

But a session with psychic ALEX THORNHILL was a step too far for Sally and Emma.

Former Coronation Street star Sally received a message from the deceased owner of her cottage – who advised her on property issues only he could have known about – while writer and presenter Emma said that she felt a child’s hand rest on her knee.

They insisted on checking out immediately.

Sally added: “Good luck to everyone who is staying here, they are very brave.”

The show’s host CHRISTINE LAMPARD was covered in goosebumps from the spooky experience as Emma added: “This place is haunted.”

But It’s not put off new guests, with Strictly judge CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD checking in tonight.

He said: “I’ve always been fascinated by the paranormal but I’m a sceptic. I’m not sure what I’m letting myself in for – spending Halloween in a haunted hotel!”

At least he can scare any ghouls away with one of his disdainful looks.

Total eclipse of Sam's skills

X FACTOR contestant SAM LAVERY might want to think about swapping mentors.

Her own mentor, SIMON COWELL criticised her rendition of Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart on Saturday’s Fright Night show.

After blaming his own lack of guidance, Simon declared: “You’re better than this.”

Meanwhile LOUIS WALSH does nothing but remind Cowell what a fantastic decision he made when choosing to bring Sam back as a wildcard.

In an exclusive interview Sam revealed: “Louis gets it in as much as he can.

“He says: ‘Remember Simon, I’m the one that brought her back’.”

At least on Team Walsh she’d find out who she’s a young version of.

David: TV's vital role

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH says nature programmes go beyond entertainment and could even help to save the planet.