Help government... but won’t be the next Trump

derstand why they are so antagonistic to each other. I think it’s a shame they react that way and can’t settle down earlier on and focus on the task – rather than on being catty to each other. “Maybe that’s human nature. They’re super excited, stressed, don’t know what’s expected from them or whether to put themselves forward. “Once the boys and girls are all mixed up they calm down. There’s a sort of mutual respect and understanding, whereas when it’s all girls or all guys they can’t help but get into conflict with each other.”

Claude, who featured at the interviews stage of the show before replacing Nick Hewer as Lord Sugar’s aide in 2015, prefers The Apprentice to a former job as chief exec of Tottenham Hotspur. He was there between 1993 and 1998, when Lord Sugar was chairman.

He explained: “On the Apprentice you get pleasure because people enjoy what you’re doing. But if you’re running the [football] company you’ve got to try and make a profit and fans don’t care about that.” He said passionate football fans can vent their anger in unpleasant ways, even when people try to do their best in difficult situations.

The Apprentice fans are more manageable although some badger Claude for tips on who’ll win. But the married father of two won’t discuss it.

Lord Sugar, Karren and Claude are a daunting trio onscreen but off cameras they are pals who would not rule out a group holiday.

Claude said: “We like each other, we have fun together on the show and off. I’ve been friends with the Sugar family for many years. We talk about The Apprentice incessantly in filming but outside of that we talk about a whole host of other things.”

Despite having appeared on the show since it began in 2005, Claude admits he doesn’t take it for granted. He said: “I don’t take these things lightly, even though I’ve been on the show since series one. It’s a privilege to be on it.”