Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has withdrawn from the line-up of entrepreneurs on Dragons’ Den before appearing in a single episode.
The businessman will be replaced by Tej Lalvani, chief executive of vitamin company Vitabiotics, after admitting the BBC programme required a greater level of commitment than he could offer.
Parish said: “On reflection, I have come to the conclusion that I couldn’t give Dragons’ Den the time and commitment the show needs and that the entrepreneurs deserve, therefore I have decided to give up my Dragons’ seat to someone else.”
Lalvani said he was “excited” to join the programme, adding: “I’m a shrewd investor and I’m looking forward to finding hard-working, passionate people to share my business experience and knowledge with.”
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He will join Campbell, Peter Jones – who has starred in the show since it launched – Deborah Meaden and Touker Suleyman, as more budding entrepreneurs vie for financial investment and support running their businesses.
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Parish was revealed to be joining the show alongside former banker Jenny Campbell as the new investors for the on November 19.
The two new incoming “dragons” for series 15 are replacing Nick Jenkins and Sarah Willingham in the series airing late this summer.
It’s business as usual, otherwise, as budding entrepreneurs vie for their financial investment as well as potential support running their businesses.