Theo Paphitis to make Dragons’ Den comeback to fill in for Touker Suleyman after he was struck down with pneumonia
WHEN Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis said the words “I’m out” for the final time in 2012 it seemed he was leaving the Den for good. But I can reveal the Greek retail tycoon is making a surprise comeback this series to cover for pal Touker Suleyman. Theo will star in four of the 14 […]
WHEN Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis said the words “I’m out” for the final time in 2012 it seemed he was leaving the Den for good.
But I can reveal the Greek retail tycoon is making a surprise comeback this series to cover for pal Touker Suleyman.
Theo will star in four of the 14 episodes after Touker was struck down with pneumonia, forcing him to stay in hospital and miss the Baftas.
In an exclusive interview, Touker said: “When I realised what I had was not a one-day illness, and when I heard they had got Theo it was a big relief.
“I had these visions of me wrecking the show and my fellow Dragons saying, ‘What has he done?’
“The moment I heard it was Theo, it put a smile on my face.”
Touker said he made a quick recovery despite the odds.
“It was serious. I was rushed to hospital on the Friday, and I was meant to be filming on the Monday.
“I was so relieved when I was told they had covered me. I was in hospital for six days.
“The funny thing was that my doctor had told me, ‘This could take months’ and I recovered quite quickly.”
Theo said: “It was my Godfather moment — ‘just as I thought I was out, they pull me back in’.
“When I received the call asking me to stand in for part of this season it didn’t take long to say yes. I did try to reclaim my middle chair from Deborah but she wasn’t having it.”
Deborah Meaden said: “What was brilliant is that he slotted straight back in. It was like he’d always been there.”
Peter Jones added: “It was, and he’s got so much money we could all burn ours.”
Naughty investments
THE heat is rising this summer in the Den.
Peter revealed that the Dragons see their fair share of rude investments in front of them this series.
He said: “We’ve got one . . . I’m actually wearing them at the moment! It had an inserted banana in it when they were pitched. I’ll just leave that one with you.
“So there is a bit of sauce in the Den.” And cheeky Deborah added: “Is that a banana in your pocket – or are you pleased to see me?”
Soapbox
IN EMMERDALE, Priya and Jai’s suspicions over the devastating factory fire are raised. Meanwhile, Cain begins to ask questions and Nate is disappointed by Moira’s departure.
In Coronation Street Seb tries to get a message to Alina but is confronted by Nikolai. Robert arrives at Vicky’s to find Jed there.
Elsewhere, Jan drives an unconscious Seb to hospital and Gary is impressed when Ryan reveals that he sold two pieces of furniture . . . until he realises cash was hidden in a now missing desk.
In Eastenders, the residents of Albert Square are rocked by the news of Phil’s attack. But some who know a little more than others begin to panic make moves to cover up the truth . . .
Den demands own spin-off
IT worked with The Apprentice and Bake Off – now the Dragons want their own spin-off show looking at what happens after entrepreneurs leave the Den.
Deborah said: “A spin-off would be a great idea.
“We were talking about it just last night.
“Everyone’s shouting their views at the telly. Everyone’s going, ‘Why didn’t you take that money?!’”
Sara added: “When people walk out of the pitch, chances are we’re still talking about it half an hour later in here, chewing the cud.” It’s a brilliant shout.
Dragon bit
DEBORAH would like to see some more familiar faces on the panel – her very own entrepreneur parents, Sonia and Brian.
The long-serving Dragon said: “They’d be very capable of doing it. That would be a very interesting dynamic.”
Mind the age gap
THE Den’s newest Dragon got off on the wrong foot with show veteran Peter Jones early on in filming.
Peter – who is the only original Dragon remaining from the show’s first series in 2005 – said: “I thought Sara was cracking until the second night, having dinner, she says, ‘All my friends are asking what height you are . . . I used to love watching you at uni’.”
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Sara became a fan of the show while she was studying for a business degree at the University of York.
She joked: “I made such an effort with Peter but it all came crumbling down on that second night. His face just dropped.
“That was it. We’ve never really recovered since.” It seems even Dragons aren’t safe from office politics.
Must watch
- WHAT? Dragons’ Den, BBC2, 8pm, August 11.
- WHY? Budding tycoons enter the Den for a new series of the business contest.
- WHO? Feisty Northerner Sara Davies, founder of a £15million craft firm, is a new Dragon.
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