Dragon’s Den viewers say they’re ‘switching off’ after spotting major change to show for new series
DRAGONS’ Den viewers have vowed to ‘switch off’ after they spotted a major change to the show.
The hit programme returning for its 21st series as the den reopened for a new batch of entrepreneurs.
Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden Steven Barlett, Sara Davies and Touker Suleyman also returned with a guest appearance from Joe Wicks.
The show opened with a fitness fanatic pitching his business idea to the business tycoons.
He told the dragons how he was “really down” and “going through a tough time in my life”.
As the show continued, viewers watched as an uncle and nephew duo appeared in the den with their multi-vitamin brand.
The dragons were then introduced to a chicken-loving entrepreneur who planned to open a number of hotels for hens to nest.
However, Dragons’ Den viewers at home were left annoyed by the number of emotional stories.
Taking to social media, one said: “Interest that Dragons Den candidates are following the X Factor trend of laying out a sob story to gain traction.”
A second said: “Sat down to watch new series of Dragons Den, whats happened to this once good programme, bloody sob stories already, what is this Britains Got Talent, Joe Wicks.”
“This will now open the floodgates for anyone with a sob story,I’m out,” said a third.
While a fourth commented: “Dragons Den was at its best when you either got a deal or sliced to bits. Now it’s all sob story’s and fluffy clouds. I’m out.”
Meanwhile, during the first episode Steven Bartlett was left squirming in awkward scenes.
The BBC star looked extremely uncomfortable during a health related pitch after it was claimed he shared ‘harmful information’.
Dragons’ Den continues on BBC One and iPlayer.
Dragons' Den stars - past and present
Dragons' Den has been on our screens since 2005 and sees entrepreneurs enter the Den to try and win investment for their businesses from the Dragons.
Over the years there have been many wealthy investors sitting in the famous seats, here’s a rundown of them all and how long they were on the show for.
- Peter Jones – series 1 – present
- Deborah Meaden – series 3 – present
- Touker Suleyman – series 13 – present
- Sara Davies – series 17 – present
- Steven Bartlett – series 19 – present
- Duncan Bannatyne – series 1 – 12
- Rachel Elnaugh – series 1 and 2
- Doug Richard – series 1 and 2
- Simon Woodroffe – series 1
- Theo Paphitis – series 2 -10
- Richard Farleigh – series 3 and 4
- James Caan – series 5-8
- Hilary Devey – series 9 and 10
- Kelly Hoppen – series 11 and 12
- Piers Linney – series 11 and 12
- Nick Jenkins – series 13 and 14
- Sarah Willingham – series 13 and 14
- Jenny Campbell – series 15 and 16
- Tej Lalvani – series 15 – 18
- Emma Grede and Gary Neville were guest Dragons during series 21.