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Lord Sugar's interview aide Claude Littner replaces Nick Hewer on The Apprentice... and he promises to be a formidable force

Published: 11:38 EST, 27 April 2015 | Updated: 16:17 EST, 27 April 2015

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Claude Littner will replace Nick Hewer as Lord Alan Sugar's advisor on The Apprentice this year.

The BBC has announced that the formidable businessman - known for his severe interviewing strategy - will be taking over from Nick, following the 71-year-old star's decision to step down from the role in December 2014 after ten years as Lord Sugar's aide.

Claude will join Karren Brady at Lord Sugar's side, and has promised he won't let it be 'a walk in the park' for this year's candidates.

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Formidable force: Claude Littner (left) known for interviewing The Apprentice candidates, has been announced as Nick Hewer's (right) replacement on the BBC programme

He said: 'If the candidates think I am soft and fluffy, they haven't been watching me on The Apprentice over the past decade. I will now be assessing their performance in the process, individually and within their teams.

'I will be reporting to Lord Sugar to play my part in ensuring that his personal investment of £250,000 goes to the best candidate. I'm ready, and this won't be a walk in the park!'

Claude is already well known and loved by The Apprentice viewers - and feared by candidates - thanks to a decade as an integral part of the formidable interview episode.

The pair met 25 years ago when Littner was director of Sugar's business Amstrad plc as well as Amstrad International, Dancall, Viglen and Tottenham Hotspur, the club for which The Apprentice boss with majority owner and chairman at the time.

Who will replace him? Nick has been Lord Sugar's sidekick along with business Karren Brady

I'm off: Nick Hewer quit The Apprentice after 10 years on the show in December 2014

Lord Sugar said: 'I first worked with Claude in 1990 and trust his judgement completely. He will no doubt take a very different approach to Nick. It's great to have him on board.'

Series 11 is reportedly already in production.

Sugar's last appointment was Baroness Brady, who superseded Margaret Mountford following her four-year stint on the show.

Nick, therefore, was the star's longest serving aide on the BBC programme.

Seventy-one-year-old PR guru Nick, who had been an adviser on the hit BBC reality show since it began in 2005, previously admitted he didn't have the stamina for the grueling filming schedule any more.

The businessman's announcement came ahead of the final of 2014's series, which served as his last.

He said: 'I leave with relief, tinged with regret.'

'Anyone can do what Karren (Brady) and I have been doing, but it takes stamina to follow the candidates week after week, and my stamina is not up to those long weeks.

Bianca and Mark go head to head in The Apprentice final

The interview: Claude has been known for his interrogation style in the interview rounds

'I shall continue to enjoy the show from my armchair, marvelling at the candidates' self-esteem, at the sky-high production values of the producers and at the extraordinary talent of my old friend Alan Sugar.'

Nick had worked with Lord Sugar since 1983 when he started promoting the latter's Amstrad brand.

He admitted he had been 'pondering' when to leave the show for some time and decided the 10th series was the 'appropriate time'.

He explained: 'I've enjoyed being part of this wonderful television series for two reasons: firstly, because it's been fun and has opened up many unexpected opportunities for me, but more importantly, because I think The Apprentice is a truly valuable programme, teaching young people the basics of business - not in a classroom setting, but in a wonderfully entertaining format.

Goodbye: Nick Hewer posted a farewell on Twitter, as fans reached out to announce their sadness at his departure after a decade on the show

Old friends: Lord Sugar also took to Twitter to express his emotions back in December

'And the winners each year validate the value of the show - talented, creative and hardworking young people, all of whom are making a great success of their businesses.'

Nick also added on Twitter: 'So farewell Apprentice - it's been 10 yrs of fun working on a worthwhile show but now it's time to file the notebook and throttle back. Bye.'

And Lord Sugar has mourned the loss of his long-standing colleague and friend, posting a heartfelt message on Twitter.

He wrote: 'It's with a heavy heart I have to say farewell to my good friend Nick Hewer from the apprentice. I thank him sincerely for the past 10 years.'

Lawyer and businesswoman Margaret was the first to step down in 2009 to concentrate on her PhD and was replaced by football executive Karren.

Since launching his TV career on The Apprentice, Nick has gone to present various shows, including The Farm Fixer and The Town That Never Retired.