THE Apprentice star Claude Littner has given a health update after a "freak" accident saw him requiring nine separate surgeries.
Lord Alan Sugar's assistant, 73, only appeared at the 2022 season's interview stage following a serious fall from his e-bike.
He confirmed to Thursday's Good Morning Britain his stint on the new Apprentice series, which kicks off tonight, would also be limited.
Talking about his painful accident, which happened while cycling in London, Claude said: "I am doing wonderfully well, thank you.
"I am very grateful to the ambulance crew for looking after me and of course the surgeons at St Mary's who put me back together.
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"It was a freak accident.
"I think someone was looking out for me but if someone was looking out for me better, I wouldn't have had the accident.
"I was lucky to have the ambulance driving behind me."
Claude has been a chairman for many companies, including some of Lord Alan Sugar's companies in the likes of Amstrad International, Amstrad Spain and Dancall Telecom.
In 2015, he replaced Nick Hewer, Alan's aide, in The Apprentice.
Claude will make a return as one of Lord Sugar's aides in the show's premiere today, but fans will notice that he's again replaced by season one winner Tim Campbell in future episodes.
Speaking at a Q&A for the new season, Lord Sugar said that Littner took a step back due to "medical issues".
"Obviously it's been a great journey starting with [former aide] Nick Hewer and then Claude. "Unfortunately, Claude suffered some medical issues and so I was asked to think of someone else – and who better than somebody who's actually been through the process," he said, referring to Tim.
Tim won the first edition of The Apprentice back in 2005.
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