Dragons’ Den gets fiery as Theo Paphitis and Tej Lalvani clash in heated moment

Theo Paphitis has returned to Dragons’ Den as he stands in for Peter Jones – and he’s just as fiery as ever, as he clashed with his co-star Tej Lalvani in a heated moment.

Entrepreneur Pia hoped to receive an investment for her business, Just A Splash, a range of cooking alcohols, with Theo and Tej both keen to know more.

After Theo, 61, asked about funding for the business, Tej, 46, jumped in to ask how the money is coming in.

However, his fellow Dragon was left completely unimpressed.

‘Tej, you can ask your question in a second, i’m on my final bit!’ Theo hit out, with the pair still talking over each other.

‘I’m trying to clarify,’ Tej insisted, while a frustrated Theo responded: ‘I was trying to ask that question! For goodness sake!’

Speaking directly to Pia, Theo added: ‘The question that was coming next, that my friend was obviously impatient about, was how has that money come in?’

Despite Theo and Tej’s enthusiasm to ask their questions, Pia didn’t receive an offer, with all five Dragons declaring themselves out.

Theo returned to the Den nine years after he quit the show to fill in for Peter, who self-isolated at the time of filming due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Introducing the returning Dragon, host Evan Davis explained: ‘This week there’s a new but very familiar face in one of the chairs, because even Dragons aren’t immune to the effects of the pandemic.

‘With Peter Jones having to self-isolate, high street heavyweight Theo Paphitis has stepped in to take his place.’

The entrepreneur definitely made himself very at home, however, with Peter, 55, revealing that his former co-star left him some very clear notes.

Plastered to two of his chairs and his clothes rail were messages reading: ‘Property of T.Paphitis.’

Businessman Theo appeared on Dragons’ Den from 2005 to 2012. However, he made a brief return in 2019 to stand in for Touker Suleyman.

While the Den has seen a fair few Dragons come and go, the current line-up consists of Peter, Deborah Meaden, Touker, Tej, and Sara Davies.

Dragons’ Den airs Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One.

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