Littner, who is known for his very direct approach in interviewing the candidates and speaking his mind in very frank ways is sure to shake a few things up when he replaces Sugar’s long standing right hand man Hewer.
Littner will join Karren Brady to watch the hopeful candidates as they take part in the tasks, before reporting back to Lord Sugar about their successes – and, more likely, their failures.
“If the candidates think I am soft and fluffy, they haven’t been watching me on The Apprentice over the past decade,” Littner said.
“I will now be assessing their performance in the process, individually and within their teams. I will be reporting to Lord Sugar to play my part in ensuring that his personal investment of £250,000 goes to the best candidate. I’m ready, and this won’t be a walk in the park!”
I confirm Nick Hewer’s replacement in next series of Apprentice is Claude Littner @claudelittner .Imagine how delighted the candidates are.
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) April 27, 2015
He famously told Stuart Baggs that he’s not a big fish – “You’re not even a fish” – and didn’t even allow last year’s candidate Solomon Akhtar to talk after discovering that his business plan was underprepared and largely consisted of logo ideas.
Lord Sugar has now said that he trusts Littner’s judgement “completely”, adding: “He will no doubt take a very different approach to Nick. It’s great to have him on board.”
Lord Sugar said of his new advisor: “I first worked with Claude in 1990 and trust his judgement completely. He will no doubt take a very different approach to Nick. It’s great to have him on board.”
Littner has known Lord Sugar for 25 years, having served as a director of Amstrad plc, Amstrad International, Dancall, Viglen and Tottenham Hotspur. He currently chairs a number of the entrepreneurs companies.
Hewer – who currently hosts Countdown – stepped down from the BBC One show in December after a decade.
Speaking of his departure he said: “I leave with relief, tinged with regret. Anyone can do what Karren and I have been doing, but it takes stamina to follow the candidates week after week, and my stamina is not up to those long weeks.
“I shall continue to enjoy the show from my armchair, marvelling at the candidates’ self-esteem, at the sky-high production values of the producers and at the extraordinary talent of my old friend Alan Sugar.”
