The highly popular television show Dragons’ Den is set to feature two new faces in its upcoming 21st series. Business moguls Gary Neville and Emma Grede have been revealed as the first-ever Guest Dragons, joining the lineup of Den heavyweights Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, and Steven Bartlett.
BBC Studios has released first-look pictures of Neville and Grede inside the Den, with the stunning backdrop of the Manchester skyline at dusk. The series, set to air on BBC One next year, will showcase the duo’s investment prowess as they evaluate and consider potential opportunities presented by aspiring entrepreneurs.
Expressing his excitement, Neville said, “It’s a pleasure to join the Dragons as a guest for the new series and see some of the amazing pitches from budding entrepreneurs from different walks of life. It was a privilege to share my knowledge and guidance with the brave entrepreneurs who entered the Den, but you’ll have to wait and see whether I committed to any investments!”
For Grede, being a Guest Dragon holds special significance as it marks a return to her roots in the UK. She shared, “Being back in the UK and joining this series as a Guest Dragon has been amazing and feels very full circle to me. Being able to share my own knowledge from the business I’ve built with the entrepreneurs is so important, there’s a lot of major talent in this upcoming series, and I hope it inspires the next generation to create opportunities for themselves.”
Samantha Davies, Executive Producer at BBC Studios, expressed her excitement about introducing a fresh dynamic to the Den in its 21st series. Davies noted that Neville and Grede, both masters in their respective fields, would bring different styles and perspectives to the business world. However, she assured viewers that the existing Dragons would not let the Guest Dragons take all the best deals, promising the usual competitiveness and sass in the Den.
Sarah Clay, Commissioning Editor at the BBC, highlighted the enduring popularity of Dragons’ Den with audiences. Clay remarked, “Viewers have a lot to look forward to in the 21st series with the first-ever Guest Dragons, a new set of bold entrepreneurs, and as always, the five formidable Dragons. It is great to see how highly popular with audiences the show remains, with each new season bringing inspiration and surprises.”
Fans of Dragons’ Den can anticipate an exciting and invigorating new series with the addition of Neville and Grede. Their expertise and unique perspectives are sure to make for captivating television as they assess the potential of aspiring entrepreneurs and make investment decisions that could shape the future of businesses.
