Dragon Peter Jones says, "Clone me!"
By Rebecca Burn-Callander, published 249 days ago in Leadership.
Real Business spent an eventful cab ride with Dragons' Den's tallest investor earlier this week. Here's what he had to say about the recession, James Caan, his search for Peter Jones lookalikes and, most importantly, the next series of Dragons' Den.
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It was an unorthodox setting for a business interview, but the air condtioning more than made up for the bumps as Real Business accompanied Peter Jones to his BBC interview through the streets of Farringdon.
The Dragon has been busy filming the next series of Britain's favourite angel investment TV show, Dragons' Den and, despite the recession, Peter Jones was extremely upbeat about the calibre of the candidates. "I think this will be the best Dragons' Den ever," he says. "Despite the downturn, or maybe because of it, the quality of the pitches has really gone up."
That's not to say that the next series will be completely free of "what the hell?!" moments. "There's been some loopy nutters too," laughs Jones. "I just dismiss them outright but James Caan! He always gives them so much time.
"He sits there stroking his beard and asking them questions even though it's obviously a terrible idea: a plate with a hole in the middle or something!" Jones continues. "You can just see them thinking, 'James Caan is going to invest!' He's not. He should just get out early on."
This leads Real Business on to its next question: "If you could have your own dream panel of investors for your own version of Dragons' Den, who would you include?"
Peter Jones doesn't miss a beat. "Five of me!" he says. "That would be perfect. I wish I could just clone myself. In fact, do you know any Peter Jones lookalikes? Send their details to me. I'd love to get us all together and do a show."
Are you a tall, dark, Dragon-esque man in your forties? Think you've got what it takes to be a Peter Jones double?
Email your picture (low res) to editors@realbusiness.co.uk and we'll send them to the man himself and create a Real Business hall of fame featuring your best mugshots.
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1 comment.
Christine Lyus 56 days ago.
Is there any chance that any of the Dragons can find an inventor for a hands free landline phone? I have asked in stores but this wonderful product does not seem to exist even though I have seen a telephonist wearing a headset that was not connected to the phone. I am sure this would be a big selling product, as I know people that love talking on the phone while carrying out other chores.