Claude, who replaced Nick on the BBC business-based reality show last year, appeared to accuse his predecessor of not doing very much during his 11-year stint.
Appearing on Thursday’s (6 October) ‘Good Morning Britain’, Claude told hosts Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid: “When you saw him on TV he looked like he was just making faces and didn’t contribute much.
“I thought it was a real non-job so I thought I will do the interviews.”
Talking about making the switch from appearing in the interview round to becoming an aide, Claude continued: “Actually there’s an awful lot Karen and I do behind the scenes to advise Lord Sugar.
“Without us, he’s got no chance of being in a position to determine who is really the best person to fire.”
A fresh batch of budding entrepreneurs will be competing in a new set of ‘Apprentice’ challenges in the hope of winning a £250,000 investment, following in the footsteps of 2015 winner Joseph Valente.
Speaking how the new contestants fared in the first episode, he said: “They are trying their best but that’s not quite often good enough.
“They make a small mistake which has drastic effects.”
Age: 33 Profession: Owner of a food distribution business
In his own words: “Sometimes I feel like James Bond when I’m in my suit.”
Rebecca Jeffrey
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BBCBoundless
Age: 31 Profession: Owner of a design and marketing business
In her own words: “I’m proof that you can get things done without whinging.”
Samuel Boateng
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BBCBoundless
Age: 27 Profession: Sales manager
In his own words: “My creativity, my passion, my charm, and my likeability all roll into one, creating one perfect guy.”
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Grainne McCoy
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BBCBoundless
Age: 31 Profession: Make-up studio owner
In her own words: “I need guidance and a little bit of mentoring to help me make that first million.”
Courtney Wood
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BBCBoundless
Age: 29 Profession: Owner of a novelty gift company
In his own words: “How would I describe myself in one sentence? I'll give you one word: 'awesome'.”
Aleksandra King
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BBCBoundless
Age: 38 Profession: Owner of a business consultancy firm
In her own words: “Like the Tasmanian devil in the famous cartoon, I will torpedo my way through to the win.”
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Jessica Cunningham
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Age: 29 Profession: Online fashion entrepreneur
In her own words: “A motto I live by is: there is no competition if you're already winning.”
JD O'Brien
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Age: 37 Owner: Beachwear company
In his own words: “I won’t suffer fools. I will get upset by other candidates who don’t know their arse from their elbow.”
Dillon St. Paul
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Age: 37 Profession: Art director at a fashion magazine
In his own words: “Sometimes batting the eyelashes can get you a lot in business. Hence, the mascara comes in handy – so they can see those lashes.”
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Karthik Nagesan
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Age: 33 Profession: Owner of IT consultancy company
In his own words: “If I wanted to be like everyone else, I’d have waxed my monobrow.”
Sofiane Khelfa
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Age: 32 Profession: Senior sales executive
In his own words: “The best survivors in the world are the people who adapt, and I’m the best at adapting. I’m like a chameleon. I adapt to anything, anywhere, anytime.”
Natalie Hughes
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Age: 30 Profession: Hair and beauty salon owner
In her own words: “I started at a young age, I'm a hustler, I've got the hustler’s ambition.”
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Paul Sullivan
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Age: 38 Profession: Owner of a marketing agency
In his own words: “I'll play the team when I need to be part of the team, but I'm here to win; I'm not here to make up the numbers.”
Michelle Niziol
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Age: 35 Profession: Owner of a property consultancy company
In her own words: “I work 15 to 17 hours every day. 100 per cent, I'm a workaholic.”
Frances Bishop
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Age: 25 Profession: Owner of a children's clothes company
In her own words: “I’m a pocket rocket. I’m quite fiery and live by the rule ‘kill them with kindness’.”
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Mukai Noiri
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Age: 36 Profession: Digital marketing manager
In his own words: "I feel sorry for Lord Sugar, past contestants have been weak."
Alana Spencer
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Age: 24 Profession: Cake company owner
In her own words: “I'll stop at nothing to get what I want.”
Trishna Thakrar
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Age: 28 Profession: Recruiter
In her own words: “My only tactic is to be myself; this alone will make sure I win.”