Every star who quit Dragons’ Den, the reasons they left and how much they’re worth now
OVER the course of nineteen seasons, Dragons' Den has witnessed a slew of hot-shot millionaires come and go.
The critically-acclaimed BBC show sees budding entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to five millionaires who are willing to invest their money.
Current dragons include Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and, its latest addition, Steven Bartlett.
But before these five, there were a number of others.
Here, The Sun takes a look at why they quit, as well as their eye-watering net worth.
Tej Lalvani
Tej Lalvani is the most recent Dragon to leave the show, announcing in 2021 that the eighteenth season would be his final run after four years in the chair.
Lalvani explained he was stepping down from the role so he could focus on his business, Vitabiotics, a nutraceutical company that specialises in vitamin and mineral-based food supplements.
He tweeted: "As my own business, Vitabiotics, continues to expand, and my portfolio of investments grows, I am no longer able to dedicate the necessary time and attention to the show."
According to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Lalvani has a net worth of £390million.
Theo Paphitis
Theo Paphitis stepped down from his role as a Dragon in 2013.
After his departure, he said: "The time felt right to give up my seat, stop breathing fire and allow someone else to enjoy the wonderful experience of being a Dragon.
"So, it just leaves it for me to say thank you to all past and present Dragons. I am out."
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Paphitis is worth £290million.
Duncan Bannatyne
Duncan Bannatyne was one of the show's original dragons, starting out in 2005.
He quit in 2015 after ten years because he did not wish to make any more investments.
"I do not plan to make any further investments on the programme so thought it fair to offer my seat to someone else," he said at the time.
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Bannatyne is worth £280million.
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James Caan
James Caan joined in 2007 and left after four series in 2011 to devote more time to "existing investments" and "philanthropic work".
In a statement, he said: "Dragons' Den has been an integral and exciting part of my professional life and I thank the show profusely for letting me be a part of it for so long. Unfortunately, I'm out!"
Despite his reasoning, there were rumours at the time that Cann resigned after a disagreement with Bannatyne.
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Caan is worth £100million.
Jenny Campbell
Jenny Campbell first entered the den in 2017, quitting after only two series in 2019.
In a statement, Jenny said she was stepping down to focus on charity work and commitments to the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Fellowship Programme.
She said: "It has been a tough decision to step down but I now want to focus on my new role with the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Fellowship Programme.
"Having been a fan of Dragons Den since it first aired in 2005, I was absolutely delighted and proud to have the opportunity of becoming a Dragon myself."
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Campbell is worth £75million.
Kelly Hoppen
Kelly Hoppen announced in 2015 that she was leaving after two seasons because she was too busy to commit to the filming schedule.
"It has been a privilege to be part of a programme which champions entrepreneurs," she said.
"I will miss my fellow judges and I'm sure someone amazing will fill my seat. I wish everyone on the show the best luck. What's left to say, but 'I'm out.'"
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Hoppen is worth £50million.
Nick Jenkins
Nick Jenkins is another Dragon who left after only two years, leaving in 2015 to focus on his portfolio business.
In a statement released at the time, he shared: "I have thoroughly enjoyed making Dragons' Den.
"However, I want to focus more on my portfolio of educational technology businesses and that would make it difficult to take on any more investments from the Den."
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Jenkins is worth £150million.
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Sarah Willingham
Sarah Willingham chose to leave the show in 2017 after her husband suffered a cancer scare during her family's round-the-world trip.
Sarah explained that if she had chosen to film her third series of Dragons' Den, she would have had to take a break from the family's trip and relocate her family to Manchester for two months during filming.
"Life is short. You've got to grab it and live it and create memories that matter to you," she she said at the time.
"Being part of Dragons' Den has been one of the best experiences of my life."
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Willingham is worth £20million.
Piers Linney
Piers Linney left the show after two years in 2015 to "pursue other interests."
"After hearing over 200 pitches and made nine deals, I have had a fantastic experience on Dragons' Den and feel honoured to have had the opportunity to contribute to such an iconic and long-running TV show," he said after his exit.
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Linney is worth £100million.
Richard Farleigh
Richard Farleigh was a Dragon in seasons three and four, but he was dropped from the show in 2007 and replaced with Caan.
The BBC described his exit as "amicable," but Richard admitted that he was "gutted."
"I have thoroughly enjoyed being a dragon – it is an illustrious group. I was looking forward to taking part in the next series," he said at the time.
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"I had even moved back to the UK to focus on commitments for the show. I am gutted that I have not been invited back to be part of the new series."
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Linney is worth £50million.
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