Former aide Claude Littner was back on the Apprentice tonight as the final five candidates were grilled over their business plans. They came face-to-face with Lord Sugar's "trusted advisors" ahead of his finalists being announced.

The episode included the return of Claude, 75, who had been an aide to Lord Sugar, 78, on the BBC show from 2015 to 2019. Since then, he has continued to appear as one of the interviewers who interrogate candidates before the final, having held that role since the show launched back in 2004.

Amber-Rose Badrudin, Anisa Khan, Chisola Chitambala, Dean Franklin and Jordan Dargan were sent through to the interviews stage by Lord Sugar following last week's double firing in the boardroom. Each presented their business plans for inspection in tonight's episode as part of the final five in the hope of making it to the final of the competition.

They spoke to interviewers Claude, Linda Plant, Mike Soutar and Claudine Collins about their respective businesses that they are seeking investment in from Lord Sugar. It had been confirmed that the interviews would take place in the latest episode in a teaser at the end of last week's instalment.