Gary Neville has genuinely invested in ‘hanky panky’ cinemas on Dragons’ Den-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

Gary Neville will be investing in an unexpected business on Dragons’ Den (Picture: BBC)

Dragons’ Den fans will soon get to see Gary Neville make an unexpected investment in a ‘hanky-panky pod’ business.

The former footballer-turned-Sky Sports pundit, 48, is making a special one-off appearance as a Dragon on Thursday night’s episode of the reality business show.

Putting his money on the line when making offers to entrepreneurs, it was a unique business proposal that caught his attention.

In the episode, he will be captured by the Cosy Cinema firm, owned by a Welsh couple who were hoping to increase their number of mini containers, which are fitted with a TV screen and beds.

Despite them being billed as ‘the ultimate cinema experience’ veteran Dragon Peter Jones labelled them ‘hanky panky pods’ since they seemed to be the perfect chance for couples to get slightly distracted and instead turn their focus to each other rather than the screen.

Much to the other Dragon’s surprise, Gary shocks Stephen Bartlett, Sara Davies and Deborah Meaden by making an offer to invest in their business.

He will make a one-off appearance alongside Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones (Picture: BBC)

He also offers to help use their design skills to evolve the company and make affordable housing, as reported by The Sun.

Gary will also manage to get Touker Suleyman to co-invest in the company.

The former footballer isn’t the only guest to appear on this season of the series, with another episode to feature businesswoman Emma Grede, who is the CEO and co-founder of fashion company Good American.

When his role on the show was revealed, Gary said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to join the Dragons’ Den, even if it’s only for a very short period on an interim contract.

‘I’m used to being an interim coach. I’m going to bring character, personality, drive, determination, hard work, all the things you’d want in a team player.’

Gary, whose net worth is estimated to be around £20 million, spent his football career playing for Manchester United after making his debut in 1992.

The former footballer is now a pundit (Picture: Getty Images)

At the age of 21 he also started balancing his sporting pursuits with aspirations to create a property development portfolio.

However, at the time he kept it a secret from his football boss Sir Alex Ferguson who wanted all his players to solely focus on the sport.

In a 2018 interview, Gary told the BBC Sir Alex ‘would have seen it as a distraction’, so he went to great lengths to keep it hidden and took secret calls in the showers to avoid being overheard.

Since then, his other business ventures have included GG Hospitality and has invested in hotels, restaurants and bought a stake of Salford City FC in 2014.

Dragons’ Den airs Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One.

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