Former England footballer Gary Neville has been a guest dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den since 2024 and co-star Touker Suleyman has joked he’s the ‘biggest softie’ when it comes to investment
Matt Jackson Trendswatch Content Editor
14:42, 05 Feb 2026Updated 14:44, 05 Feb 2026
Gary Neville’s Dragons’ Den co-star has opened up about what he’s like on the show(Image: BBC)
Touker Suleyman, a familiar face from Dragons’ Den, quipped “thank God you’re only a guest” whilst discussing what former England international Gary Neville is truly like on the popular programme. Gary, 50, has been featuring as a guest dragon since 2024.
Whilst Gary’s reputation rests primarily on his achievements as a Manchester United and England defender, he accumulated a substantial property empire throughout his playing days. According to the BBC, he’s leading the £450m St. Michael’s project in Manchester, having attracted more than £200m in foreign investment.
Touker, on the other hand, built his fortune in fashion, acquiring shirtmaker Hawes and Curtis in 2001 before branching into investments. During a conversation with Gary on the Hawes and Curtis Touker Time podcast, the 72-year-old pondered how successfully the ex-footballer would perform as a full-time dragon.
He remarked: “This gentleman here is the biggest softie when it comes to investment. Thank god he has only been a guest, if he was there full time he’d need a printing machine, he’d invest in everything.”
Touker continued by joking that Gary enjoys offering a touch of “Mancunian help” to contestants during their presentations. Gary responded: “Honestly, people come in and if I like them, I think, ‘Oh they deserve a little bit of Mancunion love’ and just give them a little bit of investment. I have to say, when they walk through the door, how nervous they must be, but when I’m looking at them I’m thinking, ‘I’m glad I’m not stood where you are’.”
(Image: BBC)
Gary went on to reveal that Touker “drills” the entrepreneurs over their finances almost immediately before fellow dragons Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones wade in. He continued: “You have to be quite resilient when you come through the doors.”
The Manchester-born former footballer shared that he has “sympathy” for the hopeful entrepreneurs after they step out of the iconic Dragons’ Den lift. He confessed he even experiences “a little bit nervous” energy when faced with the panel of dragons. He continued: “Them coming through facing you, Deborah, Peter, Steven [Bartlett], they must be terrified.”
Touker, meanwhile, outlined his careful approach to investing on the programme. He remarked: “If you’re investing your hard-earned cash, you can’t just give it away, and some people like to pull the wool over your eyes.” He continued by stating that the “most important thing” he seeks when committing his money on the show is a venture he can genuinely help to develop. Gary will be making his Dragons’ Den return from 8pm this evening on BBC One.
(Image: BBC)
Tonight’s entrepreneurs will present a range of ventures including skincare products created from rescued food, a gadget designed to keep golf balls pristine, a mortgage assistance app, and fiery seasoning spheres. This run of the show will welcome several guest dragons to the investment panel. Alongside Gary, rapper Tinie Tempah, serial entrepreneur and REFY CEO Jenna Meek, and Tropic Skincare founder Susie Ma will be assessing potential investments.
Tinie expressed: “I have a keen interest in supporting emerging entrepreneurs as well as investing in a wide-ranging portfolio of businesses, so Dragons’ Den was an opportunity I simply couldn’t turn down. I am ecstatic to become a guest dragon and look forward to seeing where I can help, bring value and of course invest in some of these brilliant businesses and people that step into the Den.”
Gary is a former Manchester United and England footballer(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Samantha Davies, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Entertainment, spoke about the guest dragons: “Audiences love the powerful combination of our much-loved regular dragons and the fresh energy guest dragons bring to the Den – and this series, we’re going bigger than ever.
“We’re thrilled to welcome back Gary, alongside three formidable new business titans, all ready to uncover the next generation of bold, brilliant and disruptive entrepreneurs. There’s no better place to ignite that ambition than right here in the Den!”.