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Dragon’s Den set for huge shake-up after success of guest tycoons – and reality TV star could take part
Producers are looking at ways to freshen Dragons’ Den up as the show will mark its 20th birthday next year
MOST Dragons’ Den fans agree the arrival of young tycoon Steven Bartlett and Gary Neville's guest appearance were a breath of fresh air.
Now the wind of change is blowing even harder on the BBC One show, with bosses looking at bringing in more fresh blood.
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The wish list of potential new dragons includes Made In Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews, sports promoter Eddie Hearn and food entrepreneur Ella Woodward.
A TV insider said: “This isn’t a done deal and the names are just suggestions.
“But they’re aiming for an eclectic mix of people who each bring something unique.
“They want to introduce some surprise additions too — such as Spencer who’s best known for being in Made In Chelsea but also runs his own non-alcoholic spirit alternatives business, CleanCo.
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“They aren’t about to start swapping in new names for the long-standing dragons, they are complementary additions.”
Dragons’ Den marks its 20th birthday next year so producers are looking at ways to freshen things up.
The only original dragon still on the show is Peter Jones.
New-boy Steven has been on for just three series. As well as ex-footballer Gary, who featured last month, the show also welcomed Skims shapewear businesswoman, Emma Grede as a guest.
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World race big in japan
COMPETITORS on Race Across The World will travel across Eastern Asia when series four begins next month.
The five pairs of adventurous hopefuls will tackle the route from northernmost Japan to the finish line in Indonesia’s Lombok.
Dragons Den viewers left cringing as dragons have brutal argument in front of business hopeful
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Mother and daughter duos Brydie and Sharon, and Eugenie and Isabel, go up against best friends Alfie and Owen, married couple Stephen and Viv, and brother and sister James and Betty.
Travelling 9,300 miles across eight borders, six seas and the volcanic ring of fire, the winning team will take home £20,000 for completing the journey in the fastest time.
Leaving behind phones, the internet, and access to their own money, they will test their endurance across six episodes, which air from April 10 at 9pm on BBC One.
COMIC TOM ALLEN and Ru Paul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage will host the action on the red carpet at this year’s TV BAFTAs, I can reveal.
Tom takes over from Radio 1’s Clara Amfo to present the live online coverage of the red carpet at London’s Royal Festival Hall on May 12.
NOEL WILL STAND & DELIVER
NOEL FIELDING looks more like John Lennon than Dick Turpin in a first look at the season finale of his comedy about the famous highwayman.
The Great British Bake Off host is transformed with a long grey beard for the climax of the six-part series, which sees his character captured and thrown into prison.
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He has to wait for his Essex gang to come to the rescue – and avoid the hangman, the way the real Dick Turpin met his end in 1739.
It’s a far cry from the more clean-shaven look normally sported by Noel, who plays a fictional version of the 18th century villain in The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, streaming on Apple TV+.
Friday Night Dinner’s Mark Heap and Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville also star.
EUR-A WINNER HANNAH
HANNAH WADDINGHAM and Stacey Solomon led the blue carpet glam as both stars celebrated wins at the Royal Television Society awards on Tuesday.
After rocking a little black dress for the cameras, Ted Lasso actress Hannah took home the gong for the best Entertainment Performance for her presenting role at last year’s Eurovision.
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She joined the global song contest’s commentator Graham Norton, singer Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian star Julia Sanina on stage in Liverpool to front the 2023 competition, which aired on BBC One.
Accepting her award, she gushed: “I’m very pleased, but I feel like I’m going to look back at photos of this moment and say, ‘Stop grinning like a Cheshire cat’.”
Stacey, joined by husband Joe Swash, was nominated for Best Presenter and Best Popular Factual Show for her BBC series Sort Your Life Out.
While she took home the factual gong, she was beaten to the hosting accolade by inspiring naturalist Chris Packham.
Meanwhile, Time star Jodie Whittaker, who was nominated for Leading Actor, supported co-star Bella Ramsey as she scooped the Supporting Actor honour for the drama series.
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And Morning Live presenter Kym Marsh attended in support of Waterloo Road, which was up for best Soap and Continuing Drama – a category clinched by the BBC’s EastEnders.
Other winners included Sarah Lancashire's Happy Valley, Top Boy star Kane Robinson and The Sixth Commandment’s Eanna Hardwicke.
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