The Apprentice star Claude Littner has revealed he almost ditched Lord Alan Sugar for a rival show.
The businessman, who has appeared on the BBC show since its inception, is due to return for the upcoming 17th series in a reduced role following a hiatus last year.
In an interview with RadioTimes, Littner revealed that things could have been very different had he joined another BBC show, Dragons’ Den.
What to Read Next
Related: The Apprentice 2022 winner reveals romance with co-star
"Some years ago they invited me to join the panel," he said (via The Sun). "I was very keen, but they phoned me up and said they'd had a change of heart. They wanted a woman instead. I said: 'That's okay, I can put on a wig! That shouldn't inhibit me from being on the show.'"
Producers ended up opting for the late Hillary Devey, who appeared on two series’ before departing in 2012.
Littner, who was previously known for his direct and confrontational style of interviewing on The Apprentice, was upgraded to the role of Lord Sugar’s aide in 2015. In 2021, he suffered a cycling accident which meant he didn’t appear in the 16th series.
Related: The Apprentice winner celebrates as her partner joins Corrie
Speaking about the accident, Littner said: “I looked behind me to see who was going to run me over, but luckily it was an ambulance. They saved my life. They’re why I’m here to tell the tale.”
The 17th series, which will premiere on January 5, will see 18 contestants compete for the £250K investment, with Sugar and Littner appearing alongside Karren Brady and Tim Campbell. Tasks will reportedly include a trip to Antigua, creating a cartoon and an insight into the world of male beauty.
The series will kick off with a double header, whilst comedian Tom Allen will return to host spin-off show, The Apprentice: You’re Fired.
The Apprentice airs on BBC One, with spin-off series You're Fired airing immediately afterwards on BBC Two.
HarperCollins Strong Woman: The Truth About Getting To The Top by Baroness Karren Brady
Simon & Schuster My Alphabet: A Life from A to Z by Nick Hewer
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
