Battle of the BOARDROOM

the apprentice's tough-talking aides CLAUDE LITTNER and KARREN BRADY reveal all about the new series

LORD SUGAR RETURNS to the boardroom this week with steely right-hand woman Karren Brady and the equally uncompromising Claude Littner by his side as he searches for this year’s winner of The Apprentice.

The terrifying twosome have more than proved their worth over the years as they have shadowed every move of Lord Sugar’s budding entrepreneurs and tried, and failed, to hide their displeasure at every daft error made.

As the exacting tycoon puts another 18 candidates through their paces to see who deserves his £250,000 investment in their business, we talk to Littner and Brady about what’s coming up…

WHAT’S NEW THIS TIME AROUND? BRADY We’ve got a lot of different tasks this year and in the first week the candidates produce, make and sell burgers – with mixed results. LITTNER There’s a new twist to all the tasks but in that first one they’re like excited puppies and it’s pretty chaotic, which makes for a great opener. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TASK

THIS YEAR?

BRADY The interior design task, where they refurbish a bedroom in one of the country’s most exclusive hotels. There’s no accounting for taste because the results don’t look five star, or even one star. The task where they plan a walking tour of Bruges was hysterical, too. They were measuring things on a map with a biro, not a ruler, so you can imagine what happens.

LITTNER Bruges was my favourite because everything that could go wrong did go wrong, but you also saw some clever ‘Apprentice thinking’ amid the disaster.

DID ANYTHING MAKE YOU CROSS?

BRADY There was a bad row between the girls, which got very personal and I didn’t like that. There’s no place for that behaviour in business.

LITTNER I saw moments with two intelligent candidates who just cannot be in the same room together and I can’t understand that.

DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ANY OF THE CANDIDATES AFTERWARDS? BRADY The winning ones, yes – I’m always interested in what they’re up to, but the losing ones, no.

LITTNER Some do contact me and ask for advice and if it’s within my competence I’m happy to help.

DO YOU STILL ENJOY BEING PART OF THE SHOW?

BRADY It can be exhausting, but it is incredible to see the transformation in people, like last year’s winner Alana, who was crippled by lack of confidence but grew in ambition. LITTNER In spite of all the tension, it’s exciting. I have fun and

Karren, Lord Sugar and

I just gel.