Entertainment
Dragons’ Den star Drew Cockton dies aged 36 one year after securing £50,000 investment from Touker Suleyman-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
His family said life is ‘never, ever going to be the same again.’
Drew Cockton appeared on Dragons’ Den last year with his candle business (Picture: BBC/Facebook)
A Dragons’ Den star has died at the age of 36, one year after securing a £50k investment for his business.
Drew Cockton appeared on the BBC show in 2021, pitching his vegan fragrance brand named Owen Drew, which he set up in 2017.
He earned the backing of Dragon Touker Suleyman, 69, and went on to receive a wealth of success thanks to the show’s platform, with the likes of American socialite Paris Hilton becoming one of his celebrity fans.
Cockton was also known for his work as an LGBTQ+ campaigner and founded the North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards, hosting the second annual event just last Friday at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel.
Confirming the sad news of his death in a statement, his mum, Kate, issued a statement.
Writing on Facebook on Sunday (October 23), she said: ‘We are truly, utterly heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Drew Peter George Cockton (my gorgeous boy) died peacefully at home yesterday. We are devastated beyond belief.’
Drew’s partner, Ryan Gunn, shared an image in tribute to the businessman following his death (Picture: Drew Cockton)
She added: ‘Life is never, ever going to be the same again. Rest peacefully darling boy.’
Hundreds of people left comments to pay their respects and send their love, expressing how ‘sad’ the news is and what a ‘beautiful person’ Cockton was.
Cockton’s partner, Ryan Gunn, also posted a picture of the couple on his Facebook page, with tributes pouring in following his loss.
‘So so sorry to hear this awful news. Stunned doesn’t really cover it. Big hugs to you and your lovely cats,’ wrote one loved one.
‘I have no words Ryan. Thinking of you and Drew’s family at this terrible time xx’, penned another.
He won the investment of Dragon Touker Suleyman last year after sharing that his mental health struggles inspired his business (Picture: BBC)
Appearing on Dragons’ Den last year, Cockton won the support of the Dragon’s and the heart of viewers by sharing his mental health issues, which inspired him to start his wellness brand.
The budding entrepreneur detailed his own experiences being the driving force behind his business, recalling how he opened a hotel business on Manchester’s Canal Street at the age of 22.
He entered the hotel industry after quitting his job in financial services ‘against all the advice of my family’ after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
More: Trending
‘I was totally inexperienced. I was working so hard that I actually made myself quite ill and had a breakdown,’ he said at the time.
Then, motivated to build his own brand, he built Owen Drew up from his kitchen table, making candles himself and selling them on social media before later securing a premises in Birkenhead to create his handmade products on a larger scale.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Strictly Come Dancing viewers ‘burst into tears’ over moving tribute to late host Sir Bruce Forsyth
Entertainment – MetroRead More
