The BBC have released the first look at the latest series of Dragons’ Den, which features former Manchester United right back Gary Neville.
The Bury-born football pundit will make his first appearance in series 21 of the show, alongside Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett.
The show sees budding entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to the ‘Dragons’, who in turn decide whether to invest in their projects or not.
Your starting line-up for Dragon's Den Series 21…
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 17, 2023
Can't wait for what this one brings 😅! #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/U9awKXdBdi
The 48-year-old has thrown himself into the world of entrepreneurialism since his retirement from football in 2011, investing in a hotel, property developments and Salford City Football Club.
The former England international will join fashion and retail businesswoman Emma Grede as the two take part as special guests in episodes of series 21 of the show.
Speaking to the BBC, Neville said: “It’s a pleasure to join the Dragons as a guest for the new series and see some of the amazing pitches from budding entrepreneurs from different walks of life.
“It was a privilege to share my knowledge and guidance with the brave entrepreneurs who entered the Den, but you’ll have to wait and see whether I committed to any investments!”
It did not take long for some of the Dragons to respond. Current regular on the show Deborah Meaden took to X, formerly Twitter, to praise Neville.
She said: “A first next in year in @BBCDragonsden when we have some guest Dragons…first up @GNev2 who was utterly brilliant and owned that chair!!”
The Salford City co-owner responded: “Thank you Deborah. I loved it and can’t thank you and all the dragons enough for welcoming me.”
Thank you Deborah. I loved it and can’t thank you and all the dragons enough for welcoming me 🙏 https://t.co/Cy8GWqEozs
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) October 17, 2023
The series will be back on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2024, but an exact date has not yet been confirmed.
Feature image by K. Mitch Hodge.
