The Apprentice 2016: Claude Littner says Alan Sugar couldn't find a business partner without him

Littner took over from Nick Hewer as an aide to Lord Sugar
In need: Claude Littner advises Lord Sugar with Karren Brady
ITV
Emma Powell6 October 2016

Claude Littner has said Lord Sugar would be unable to find a good business partner without his help.

Littner said his job as advisor alongside Karren Brady, is the only reason Sugar has been able to set up successful business partnerships.

Littner – who succeeded Nick Hewer on last year’s series – told Good Morning Britain: “When you see on television it looks as though Nick was pulling faces and not contributing much so I thought ‘this is a real non job, I’d rather do the interviews.

“But it was a real mistake because there is an awful lot that Karren and I do behind the scenes in order to advise Lord Sugar with what’s going on, who we think is doing well, and who is failing.”

He added: “I shouldn’t really say this, but without us he’s got no chance of being in a position to determine who is the person to fire.”

The Apprentice returns for a 12th series tonight which will see 18 new candidates battle it out to secure a £250,000 investment from Sugar.

They will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of 2015 winner Joseph Valente.

Speaking about the series return, Lord Sugar said: “I need to see who’s got a good business brain, that’s all I’m interested in. The winner gets a £250,000 investment and it will change someone’s life forever.

"You are going to learn more about yourself throughout the course of this process, I promise you that. Sometimes, some people can’t stand the heat, and they complain and they moan.

The Apprentice 2016

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"If you want to moan you can send me an email at lordsugar@idontcare.com.”

This year's candidates will be housed in a North London mansion and will be faced with tasks including manufacturing sweets, creating an advertising campaign for jeans, hosting ‘late night opening’ events, creating their own brand of gin and designing virtual reality games.

The Apprentice is on BBC One tonight at 9pm.

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