Claude Littner Delivers Scathing Verdict on Apprentice Format Change
Former Apprentice star Claude Littner has issued a brutally honest response following a major format change to the hit BBC reality series, insisting that current contestants "don't deserve any treats" this season.
The End of Lavish Rewards
Lord Alan Sugar's long-running business competition, now in its landmark 20th series, has traditionally rewarded winning teams with luxurious experiences including spa breaks, helicopter rides, and other high-end treats throughout the competition. However, viewers have noticed these prizes have been completely eliminated from the current season's format.
Claude Littner, who served as an advisor on the programme from 2015 until 2021, responded to fan questions about the change with characteristic bluntness. The 76-year-old business figure stated: "My take on this issue is based on current performances. None of the candidates deserves a treat! I would send them to bed without a bedtime story or a lullaby!"
Fan Backlash and Producer Reasoning
The format change sparked immediate backlash from dedicated viewers on social media platforms. One Reddit user complained: "Last year's Apprentice prizes for the winning team were rubbish and now they've been scrapped completely! Surely they could have spent the budget for transporting everyone to Hong Kong on prizes for the winning team which were quite a fun bit of the episode."
Another fan directly tagged both Lord Sugar and Claude Littner on X, demanding: "I have to ask again what's happened to the winners treats? Any ideas?"
Sources close to production have revealed that producers eliminated the prize segments to allocate more screen time to the show's trademark fiery boardroom debates. A television insider explained: "The Apprentice is known for laying on lavish gifts for the winning team. Fans love to see them get to celebrate their victory by enjoying themselves. However, the producers want the viewers to see more of the fiery boardroom debates this year."
Consistent Criticism from Former Advisor
This isn't the first time Claude Littner has expressed disappointment with recent Apprentice contestants. Just last week, he posted on X: "Another fine mess! No teamwork, expertise, commonsense, or... functioning brain cells!"
The format change represents a significant departure from the show's traditional structure. During the early years of The Apprentice, the winning contestant would secure a six-figure job working directly with Lord Sugar himself. Throughout each series, successful task performances were rewarded with various luxury experiences that have now been completely removed from the programme.
Longevity and Audience Evolution
Speaking before the launch of the current series, Lord Alan Sugar addressed the programme's remarkable longevity, now spanning more than two decades. He suggested the show's continued success relies on attracting new generations of viewers annually.
"I think the programme itself brings in a new audience every year," Sugar explained. "Because 20 years ago, I had nine-year-olds watching it who are now 29. And the new generation of 16-year-olds are coming in and loving it. So the audience is growing. The audience is holding up, and that's why the BBC keeps doing it."
The Apprentice continues to air on Thursday nights on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer, though viewers will notice the absence of the traditional prize segments that have been a staple of the format for years. Whether this change represents a permanent shift or temporary experiment remains to be seen, but Claude Littner's unequivocal response suggests he believes current contestants haven't earned such luxuries regardless of format changes.
