Apprentice Karren Brady updates information on Claude Littner after horror accident

THE Apprentice star Karren Brady has provided fans with an update on missing panelist Claude Littner after his horrific accident caused him to miss the series.

The businesswoman has detailed her “friendship” with Claude, 72, and Lord Alan Sugar, 74, in addition to her time filming for the BBC One programme.

2

2

Karren, 52, spoke about the “terrible bike accident” that left the businessman behind after the new series of The Apprentice.

Despite a difficult few months of recovery – which has seen Claude undergo multiple surgeries – the star has confirmed that he is finally “healing”.

Mother of two children told Mirror: “We are extremely disappointed that he is not there, but we are more concerned with his condition.

“He was in this terrible bicycle accident that required him to have several surgeries. The good news is that Claude is being cured.

“He’s had a tough time, but he’s almost come back to his best. It’s impossible to let him – as much as he loves it – be in the movie.”

Businesswoman Karen opposed Claude’s replacement as Tim Campbell – who won the original The Apprentice series in 2005.

“He was a great man to work with, but of course we missed Claude,” she concluded, noting their “very close” relationship outside the boardroom.

Karren detailed how she, Lord Sugar, and Claude were often on vacation and chatted over WhatsApp when they weren’t working “long hours” on the TV show.

That means Claude is kept in the loop about this year’s contestants, who the star concludes she’s keeping up to date with “pictures and messages.”

“He felt like he was there but not there,” Karen said of her text updates.

It came right after that Claude confirms when he will return to the show after he was replaced by previous winner Tim Campbell in this series.

As the new batch of contenders debuted on BBC1 programme, many fans took to social media to ask when Claude would return.

Retweeting a tweet, Claude wrote: “Relax! I’m doing well and already planning my next series of The Apprentice comeback. Also, enjoy these years.”

Claude injured his right leg while riding an e-bike last year.

The injury was so severe, doctors said they thought about amputating Claude’s leg and the star had to undergo several surgeries to save it.

Lord Alan Sugar is said to be in regular contact with him.

Speaking of his injury, Claude said he was “cooking around”, near his home in London.

“I suspect I hit a pothole or something like that,” he said, according to BBC, “next thing I know, I’m lying on the ground.”

Tim, who won the first series of The Apprentice in 2005, said he was “excited” about his new role on the show, but admitted he was “so sad” to hear of Claude’s injury.

“Having been on the show myself, I know how difficult it is, so I didn’t take the decision lightly,” he said. “I wish Claude the best as he recovers.”