The final episode of Dragons' Den series 23 airs tonight, Friday 25 September, at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, a day after the penultimate episode, which aired on Thursday. The scheduling change sees the show move from its usual Thursday slot.
Guest Dragons and Final Pitches
The business programme returned to screens in August with the remainder of season 23, after first premiering earlier this year. Touker Suleyman, Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones and Steven Bartlett were joined by four guest Dragons stepping in after Sara Davies announced her exit.
Gary Neville, Jenna Meek, Susie Ma and Tinie Tempah rotated as Dragons on the show, investing in various pitches throughout the series. The synopsis of the final episode teases: “The doors to the Den are open once again. Gary Neville returns as guest Dragon, joining Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett and Touker Suleyman as they face four more bold business hopefuls seeking investment.
“An ambitious 18-year-old pitches his lockdown-born venture turning unwanted gift cards into cash. A fitness innovator introduces a calisthenics programme designed to promote healthy habits for children. A pioneering parent unveils her curated staycation platform showcasing hand-picked hidden escapes. And a Scotland-based husband-and-wife duo fill the Den with thrills as they pitch their fairground-style competitive experience primed for UK expansion. But will the Dragons want a ticket?”
Touker Suleyman's Farewell
The season finale will mark Touker's final appearance on the show, after he announced his exit earlier this year, after 10 years on the show. He 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."
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.
