Dragons fire up viewers

Jan 11 2005 By Helen Logan Evening Gazette

Who would have thought watching budding entrepreneurs pitching a case to try to secure financial help and advice from successful business tycoons would make riveting television? - but it has.

The local interest is that Duncan Bannatyne, who runs Darlington-based health club and hotel businesses and who is estimated to have amassed a £130m fortune, is one of the judges.

And it was probably this which drew in viewers from the Tees Valley to Dragons' Den.

A lot of people I know, who don't have any interest in business, tuned in and afterwards raved about it being compulsive viewing.

I found it gripping - emotions were laid bare, one presentation ground to a halt as a man became tongue-tied with nerves, cutting comments came fast and furious and there was even a spat between two of the judges with one abusing the other because he felt he had been stitched up in one of the investment deals.

The 'dragons' did not waste time with people whose ideas weren't up to scratch and were not slow to point out the flaws in the business plans put before them.

But on the other hand they offered a lot of top tips to those who would listen.

The reason the 'dragons' were so critical was probably because it would be their own cash they were risking.

I hope the Beeb does follow-ups on how the ones who secure investment fare.

If you missed last week's Dragons' Den, which is due to run for six weeks, then I suggest you tune in to tonight's installment on BBC2 at 8pm.