DEN TRAUMA
My ‘gruelling’ experience on Dragons’ Den left me in shock – I waited NINE HOURS for pitch which was changed last-minute
A key part of his pitch was removed moments before he entered the Den
A DRAGONS' Den contestant has revealed his frustrations after waiting nine hours for his pitch - only for it to be changed last minute.
Abeer Iqbal appeared on the flagship BBC show last week to seek investors for a company selling weighted blankets and bean bags.
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However, the 33-year-old said the experience left him deflated after his bid was rejected by each of the Dragons.
Abeer, originally from Canada but now living in London, revealed he waited nine hours for his pitch which producers altered moments before he appeared in front of the cameras.
He told : "I was given some indication that we would go last and pitching towards the end.
"I had gone in at noon, and originally, they told me that the last pitches go on at around 5pm, sometimes they go to 6pm or 7pm.
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"But by the time I got in, it was half nine, it was late... imagine for the Dragons who turn up for 8am, it's a super long day."
As it was so late, unlike other contestants, Abeer said he didn't get to see the set-up before he went in.
EDIT FEAR
Another factor which "shocked" Abeer was being told he couldn't use a screen to show off his business - including outlining the online shopping experience - which he says was a "big part" of his pitch.
As he was walking into the den, one of the producers told him they didn't use the screen as it "didn't look good on camera", he claims.
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He added that he had tried to manage his performance in fear of being portrayed negatively in the show edit as he "knew the BBC was going to decide what the narrative is".
"You have a lot of double thoughts when you're in there," he said.
He added: "The producers were the ones who told me to jump onto the beanbag after my pitch."
NO OFFERS
Abeer had asked the Dragons for £80,000 for five per cent of innovative rest company Remy.
He said he originally wanted to ask for £100,000 but producers suggested he go for £50,000 to £75,000 instead.
Before he even entered the den, show stalwart Peter Jones asked: "What's the point of putting weight on top of you when you're sleeping?"
Sara Davies and Deborah Meaden didn't even test out the products with all Dragons, including Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett, opting not to invest.
However, Peter did offer Abeer a job, which he rejected.
Abeer later questioned why the investors turned down a brand that has sold more than 30,000 products.
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The young entrepreneur said previous contestants share his frustrations and is now keen to launch a a Life After the Den podcast with Faace Skincare founder Jasmine Wicks-Stephens and others who appeared on the show.
The BBC said it did not wish to comment when approached by The Sun.
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