Entertainment
Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett recalls ‘stumbling’ at start of new series as he becomes youngest Dragon ever
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Steven Bartlett, the latest entrepreneur to join Dragons’ Den, has recalled ‘stumbling’ at the start of the new series as he becomes the youngest star ever on the BBC show.
In May this year, it was announced that Steven, 29, would be replacing Tej Lalvani on the programme following the Vitabiotics CEO’s exit after four years.
Steven is the founder and former CEO of The Social Chain, a social media marketing agency he started in his bedroom in Manchester when he was only 22, which now has a market value of over £300million.
On Wednesday’s edition of This Morning, Steven joined Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby in the ITV studio to discuss what it’s been like to step into the Dragons’ lair with fellow stars Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Strictly Come Dancing competitor Sara Davies.
Holly asked him what it was like the first time he achieved a win on the show, remarking that it ‘must have been sweet’ when he was victorious over the other Dragons.
‘It was very surreal,’ he responded, explaining the rules that they need to follow when speaking to the budding business owners.
Steven explained that he soon ‘found his way’ when he joined Dragons’ Den (Picture: Rex/BBC)
‘There are small technicalities – you’ve got to say “I’m out”, you’ve got to say your offer in a certain way, and I kind of stumbled through that,’ he said, adding that at one point he went to stand up, before realising that he couldn’t because of Covid.
Nonetheless, Steven outlines how he found his footing, which is when the competitive dynamic between him and the other Dragons became ‘particularly interesting’.
‘But after a couple, I kind of found my way and then once I felt really comfortable in the chair, then I could really, really be myself,’ he said.
‘And that’s when I think the show gets particularly interesting, ‘cause we’re all fighting.’
Steven explained that he’s been a fan of Dragons’ Den since he was 12 years, expressing his hope that his appointment will inspire ‘kids from under-represented backgrounds’.
More: BBC
When he was first announced as the new Dragon, he outlined in a statement how the programme was his ‘first window into the real world of business and investing’.
‘It’s a tremendous honour to join the Den, hopefully representing a new generation of entrepreneurs, inspiring young and specifically under-represented entrepreneurs to follow in my footsteps,’ he said.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV with Dragons’ Den set to return on BBC One.
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