The latest series of Dragons' Den concluded on Friday, 25 September, with a touching tribute to Touker Suleyman as he marked his exit from the show after 11 years.
The BBC series saw Gary Neville, Jenna Meek, Tinie Tempah and Susie Ma join Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, Peter Jones and Touker in the Den, following Sara Davies' departure last year.
Tribute montage marks final episode
Earlier this year, Touker announced he would be stepping down from the programme after more than a decade, but confirmed he would feature in the latest series. As it ended on Friday, with The Celebrity Traitors replacing its usual Thursday slot from next week, the show paid tribute to him with a special montage.
The show's narrator began: "That brings us to the end of this current series of Dragons' Den, it's been a year of welcoming new faces, but now, the moment has come to say goodbye to one of our most loved, as Touker Suleyman's time as a Dragon has come to an end.
"After 11 years in the line-up, he's been compassionate, surprising, and shrewd. So as he puts down his notebook one last time, let's take a warm, joyful look back at some of his best bits."
Touker reflects on his time in the Den
Earlier this year, Touker had said: "It has been an immense privilege to sit in that chair, to meet so many passionate and talented entrepreneurs, and to invest in businesses and people I truly believed in.
"The show gave me a platform not only to invest in leading British founders and companies, but to share hard-won wisdom built over decades in business - and I hope that, in some small way, I made a difference to those who stood opposite me."
Touker continued: "At 72, I find myself reflecting on what matters most. I am proud of every deal made, every pitch challenge, and every founder I had the honour of backing. But I firmly believe that great institutions must evolve, and it is time for new blood to take my seat in the Den and bring their own vision to this brilliant show. Fans of the series can still catch me in action one last time - my final episodes will be airing later this year."
Farewell message and future plans
His statement concluded: "I hope you will tune in and enjoy what has been a truly memorable run in the Den. Stepping back from Dragons' will give me more time to mentor the entrepreneurs I have invested in, and to give back the 50 years of business experience I have accumulated.
"If I can help the next generation avoid the pitfalls I've faced, seize the opportunities I almost missed, and build businesses they are truly proud of, then that will be the most rewarding chapter of my career yet."
He added: "To the BBC, to my fellow Dragons past and present, to the production team, and above all to the entrepreneurs who dared to walk through those doors - thank you. It has been one of the greatest joys of my career. The fire in the Den burns on. I simply pass the torch."
Dragons' Den is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
