Dragons’ Den James Caan has quit the hit BBC show, it emerged today.
The 50-year-old multi-millionaire, who made his money in recruitment and now heads up a private equity company, has called time on the show – after joining the programme in 2007.
It has been widely rumoured that Caan would leave the show where wannabe entrepreneurs approach five of Britain’s most successful businessman with the intention of getting an investment in their idea.
The mild-mannered millionaire has been in a long-running feud with hard-nosed Glaswegian Duncan Bannatyne – with the two not talking while on the show and exchanging tit-for-tat insults in the media.
James said: “I have greatly enjoyed my time in the Dragons’ Den, however my work and philanthropic interests mean I can’t devote the time required to the Den any longer.
“Dragons’ Den has been an integral and exciting part of my professional life and I thank the show profusely for letting me be a part of it for so long. Unfortunately, I’m out!”
Caan’s departure leaves the show with leisure expert Bannatyne, 61, communications mogul Peter Jones, 44, retail magnate Theo Paphitis, 51 and tourism authority Deborah Meaden, also 51, as Dragons on the show.
Dominic Bird, Executive Editor of Dragons’ Den at the BBC added: “James has been a fearsome dragon over the last two years and although we’ll be sorry to see him leave the den, we appreciate he is very busy with his new endeavours.
“We wish him luck and hope to work with him again soon on new projects.”
