Gary Neville is guest starring in the next series of Dragons’ Den to ‘shake things up’

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Gary Neville’s next big TV gig has been confirmed – and this time, it’s got absolutely nothing to do with football.

While the former Manchester United and England footballer, turned manager, pundit, commentator, and businessman, has certainly been no stranger to our TV screens after hanging up his boots, thanks to his regular appearances on Sky Sports and BT Sport’s football coverage, as well as being a vocal figure on a wide range of political topics – particularly over the last few years and throughout the pandemic.

But now, it seems he’s setting sports aside for a bit, as his entrepreneurial expertise is being called on.

That’s because the BBC has confirmed today that the Bury-born 47-year-old is one of two guest Dragons set to appear on the new series of Dragons’ Den next year.

Gary will be sitting alongside Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, and Steven Bartlett for series 21 of the hit BBC series – which is currently filming here in Manchester, and will be back on our screens in 2024.

The ex-professional footballer will be joining the usual lineup of Dragons for a few episodes to “shake things up” and “impart unique business advice”, according to the BBC.

It’s the first time in the show’s 21 series that there’s set to be a sixth chair in the Den.

“I am excited to join the Dragons, and to meet the entrepreneurs brave enough to face us in the Den,” Gary said ahead of his guest-starring appearance.

“I hope my personal journey shows that you can take the experiences you’ve had in one part of your career and use them to do something entirely different and make it a success. Business is all about managing people and managing yourself and I’m looking forward to sharing my experience to help the entrepreneurs we’ll meet in the Den reach their potential.”

Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, and Steven Bartlett on Dragons’ Den / Credit: BBC

Dragon’s Den executive producer says Samantha Davies says Gary is “a great example of someone who took an alternative route into commerce” and “used his unique skillset to grow a successful portfolio of companies”.

The BBC’s Commissioning Editor Sarah Clay believes Gary will “bring a different type of fire to the Den” and “create a new dynamic we hope Dragons fans will thoroughly enjoy”.

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The new series of Dragon’s Den will air on BBC One and iPlayer in 2024.

Featured Image – BBC