Dragons' Den: The 15 best quotes from the first episode of the new series

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Dragons’ Den is back.

But just Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden remain in the scary room where businesspeople share their pitches and ask for investment in return for share equity.

That’s because there are three new dragons.


Global clothing manufacturer Touker Suleyman

Restaurant and bar owner Sarah Willingham

And Moonpig.com founder Nick Jenkins

Deborah Meaden said this in reference to her joint offer with newbie Nick. Ben obviously agreed because he accepted their offer of £35,000 each for 10% each. He originally asked for the same amount but for 10% in total.

3. “It all started with big knickers and cling film.”

This was the start of a pretty funny story from Farnaz Khan, who wanted £75,000 for a 5% equity stake in her shapewear company Fit Britches. She basically said she once wore cling film to a wedding in an attempt to hide her lumps and bumps. But it made a funny noise.

4. “It’s nothing new.”

Farnaz caused outrage when she said this about Steve Jobs creating the iPhone in response to a challenge that her product wasn’t that innovative.

5. “You can’t come in here and say you don’t know how your business works.”

Deborah brought Farnaz to tears while quizzing her on actual figures.

6. “Will Sarah Willingham pour oil on troubled waters?”

Our favourite line from presenter Evan Davies as we moved to Sarah after Deborah uttered the all important “I’m out”. The answer? No, she didn’t. No one invested in poor old Farnaz.

7. “I am just looking forward to seeing the look on Deborah’s face today when she hears what I am asking for.”

This was the opener from Frazer Fearnhead, who wanted £1 million for 5% of his crowdfunding property business. None of the dragons were impressed.

8. “Thanks for explaining that there are risks in investments – I get that.”

Deborah Meaden said this sarcastically to Frazer after he said to her in a pretty patronising way that he tells potential investors about the risk. Oops.

9. “From a reputational point of view, it is an absolute no.”

Nick Jenkins to Frazer, who wasn’t the only dragon to disapprove of the idea, or his attitude.

10. “This is the most ridiculous pitch – I never expected to sit here and be offended in this way. I mean you have stood here and it’s just completely and utterly wasting time, I am out.”

Sarah was NOT impressed with Frazer at all.

11. “You can’t possibly value it at £20 million to an investor unless they are completely stupid… Are you talking to people that are over five years of age or under?”

Peter Jones couldn’t resist a chance to slate Frazer either.

12. “That’s going down as the most ridiculous valuation ever in the den.”

This was Peter’s next quip as the doors of the lift shut on Frazer.

13. “I became jobless, penniless and homeless – the process it has been tough, but the positive is I am relentless.”

Thierry from Beamblock Yoga was pretty emotional about his pitch.

14. “You are determined to see this through and it is that determination I like.”

Peter Jones was impressed. Thierry was offered the full £50,000 for 50% of the business from Touker, or half for 25% from Touker and then Peter too. Then Sarah said she would go in.

15. “With Peter not with Touker because I would want to take it in a different direction.”

It was awks when Sarah offered to go in, but not with poor old Touks.

But then Thierry went with Peter and Touker. That was awkward again.

Elsewhere, everyone thinks Touker looks like Theo Paphitis.
KEYWORDS: Showbiz Showbiz TV, Deborah Meaden, Dragon's Den, Evan Davies, Farnaz Khan, Nick Jenkins, Peter Jones, Sarah Willingham