What was the controversial pitch on Dragons' Den?

A pitch by the founder of Hat and Spicy, a business transforming pre-loved hats, sparked controversy and criticism from viewers.

Why did Sara Davies leave Dragons' Den?

Sara Davies announced in March 2025 her departure from Dragons' Den to concentrate on her role as CEO of Crafter's Companion.

Who are the new guest Dragons on Dragons' Den?

Guest Dragons for the current series include Gary Neville, Emma Grede, Joe Wicks, Trinny Woodall, Tinie Tempah, and Susie Ma.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Viewer Fury: Is Dragons' Den a Parody?

Viewer Fury: Is Dragons' Den a Parody?

30 Jan

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Summary

Pitch for transforming pre-loved hats sparked viewer outrage.
Founder sought £50,000 for 15% of her Hat and Spicy business.
Sara Davies' departure left viewers missing her presence.

A pitch on the latest series of Dragons' Den has drawn sharp criticism from viewers, who accused the BBC of turning the show into a parody. The founder of Hat and Spicy, a brand specializing in transforming pre-loved hats into unique headwear, sought £50,000 for a 15% stake.

Despite securing a joint investment of £50,000 for 30% of her business from Peter Jones and Touker Suleyman, audience reactions on social media were largely negative. Many viewers expressed strong dissatisfaction, with comments ranging from calling the pitch "ridiculous" to questioning the show's current direction.

This season also marks a change in the Dragon lineup following Sara Davies' departure announced in March 2025. Davies stated she was stepping down to focus on her CEO role at Crafter's Companion, a decision that prompted numerous viewers to express on social media how much they missed her presence on the show.