DRAGON DROPPED
Dragons’ Den fans work out real reason Sara Davies quit hit BBC show – and it’s not to focus on her business
This comes after Sara was forced to liquidate her company just three days before Christmas
DRAGONS' Den fans have been left stunned after uncovering the real reason Sara Davies quit the hit BBC show.
After months of speculation about the star’s departure, viewers have now put the pieces together, and the truth is more surprising than anyone expected.
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While many thought she was stepping back to focus on her thriving business, it turns out there’s another major reason behind her decision.
Some fans aren’t convinced her business is the only reason she’s leaving... so what’s really going on?
Rumours are swirling that her empire is struggling – and that she can no longer afford to splash the cash on the show.
Sara has always been hands-on with her investments, but being a Dragon means putting your own money on the line.
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And with reports that her business has hit a rough patch, fans think she’s pulling back to avoid bad optics – after all, a Dragon with financial troubles isn’t a great look!
So is this really just a temporary break, or is there more to the story?
The star confirmed earlier this month that she had called time on her stint in the Den.
Sara made history in 2019, when she became the as the youngest-ever female Dragon at the age of 35.
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But the crafting queen, 40, announced her shock exit on Instagram, explaining she’s stepping back to focus on her own business, Crafter’s Companion, which she founded in 2005.
While she won’t be filming the next series, fans will still see her in the second half of the current season, which has already been recorded.
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But her carefully worded statement has left the door open for a return – and the BBC is yet to reveal who will take her place.
Sara gushed about her time on the show, calling it “so much more than a TV gig,” admitting she throws herself into each investment.
She shared: "As this last run of Dragons’ comes to an end I have to say I’ve loved every minute of this series so far and I’m so proud of the businesses I’ve invested in this year!"
"As a lot of you will know, I’ve taken up my position again as CEO of Crafter’s Companion and my business is my big priority this year."
"And when I commit to a business, I really commit, which is why I find Dragons’ Den such a rewarding role."
This comes after Sara, who created the papercraft company Crafter's Companion, was forced to liquidate her company just three days before Christmas.
The entrepreneur invested a large amount of her own money and received backing from an unnamed partner to get her company back into shape.
Her biggest concern was losing staff who she said have worked for me for her for some 20 years.
Whilst some job roles will be made redundant, she said the majority of employees will be able to stay adding she is "really confident" in her new plan.
Dragons' Den stars - past and present
Dragons' Den has been on our screens since 2005 and sees entrepreneurs enter the Den to try and win investment for their businesses from the Dragons.
Over the years there have been many wealthy investors sitting in the famous seats, here's a rundown of them all and how long they were on the show for.
- Peter Jones - series 1 - present
- Deborah Meaden - series 3 - present
- Touker Suleyman - series 13 - present
- Sara Davies - series 17 - present
- Steven Bartlett - series 19 - present
- Duncan Bannatyne - series 1 - 12
- Rachel Elnaugh - series 1 and 2
- Doug Richard - series 1 and 2
- Simon Woodroffe - series 1
- Theo Paphitis - series 2 -10
- Richard Farleigh - series 3 and 4
- James Caan - series 5-8
- Hilary Devey - series 9 and 10
- Kelly Hoppen - series 11 and 12
- Piers Linney - series 11 and 12
- Nick Jenkins - series 13 and 14
- Sarah Willingham - series 13 and 14
- Jenny Campbell - series 15 and 16
- Tej Lalvani - series 15 - 18
- Emma Grede and Gary Neville were guest Dragons during series 21.
“In all honesty you don’t realise how valuable something is until you think you’ve lost it - and I guess last year I lost it," she added.
Despite early successes, the last couple of years - with the cost of living crisis and inflation- have dealt a serious blow to the business with revenue dropping over 20 per cent in 2023.
For Sara, watching her company which she had built over 18 years struggle was the "most upsetting thing."
Growth Partner became a major shareholder last year but despite the multimillion-pound investment the firm continued to lose money.
The entrepreneur called the decision "emotional" - referring to her company as her third child.
Despite the agony of having to liquidate her company she said she understood her investor's motivation because it was a financial decision.
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"I can’t say if I wasn’t in their shoes, I wouldn’t have made the same decision," she said.
Dragon's Den airs Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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