Dragons’ Den star quits after ‘extraordinary’ ten years on hit BBC series

Dragons’ Den star Touker Suleyman has announced he’s leaving the show after ten years in the den.

Touker, 72, announced his decision on Instagram, where he shared a statement.

‘After ten extraordinary years as a Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, I have made the decision to step down from the show,’ he wrote.

‘It has been an immense privilege to sit in that chair, to meet so many passionate and talented entrepreneurs and to invest in business and people I truly believe in.

‘The show gave me a platform not only to invest in leading British founders – and I hope in some small way I made a difference to those who stood opposite me.’

Touker then explained how, at his age, he had been reflecting on what matters most to him.

He explained his pride in making deals, challenging pitches, and the honour he felt in backing businesses.

However, Touker believes that ‘all great institutions must evolve’ and that it’s time for ‘new blood’ to take his seat in the den.

‘Fans of the series can still catch me in action,’ he consoled his followers.

‘I hope you will tune in and enjoy what has been a truly memorable run in the Den. Stepping back from Dragons’ Den will give me more time to mentor the entrepreneurs I have invested in and to give back the fifty years of business experience I have accumulated.’

He finished by paying tribute to the BBC, past and present Dragons, and the entrepreneurs brave enough to enter the den, calling his time on the show ‘one of the greatest joys of his career’.

A business giant, Touker, is best known as the owner of British menswear brand, Hawes & Curtis, and joined the Den in Series 13.

In his decade on the show, he invested more than £3million most notably in Tru Tension, Gener8 Ads, Mood Bears and BodyXCore.

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