Gary Neville ‘is already like one of the gang’ on Dragon’s Den as he joins the investors on latest BBC series… on the same day Steven Bartlett announced he is quitting
Gary Neville has been pictured on set for next season’s Dragons Den with his ‘new bestie’ – and fellow Dragon – Sara Davies.
It was confirmed, on Tuesday, that the former Manchester United full-back will appear on the BBC’s hit TV show as a guest Dragon in the series.
The programme is having a big shake-up of it’s cast, with last season’s Dragon – Steven Bartlett – confirming, on Wednesday, that he’ll be leaving at the end of upcoming series.
Bartlett took to social media to confirm the news to his 2.6million followers, as he posted a picture of his dressing room door with the caption: ‘Last day on set’.
Meanwhile Neville, along with businesswoman Emma Grede, will join the 21st series of the Dragons’ Den programme, with filming currently taking place in Manchester.
Gary Neville was seen with fellow Dragon Sara Davies as they filmed for the next season of the BBC’s hit TV programme
Regular Dragon Davies took to social media to insist that Neville is already ‘like one the gang’
Neville will appear as a guest Dragon for the programme’s 21st series later this year
Now, a picture of the 48-year-old on set has gone viral on social media as Neville appeared in good spirits alongside one of his new co-stars.
Davies took to Twitter to share a selfie of the two Dragons – with Neville showing off a wide smile – before claiming the former Red Devil is ‘one of the gang’.
Posting on her page, Davies wrote: ‘I’ve got a new bestie! @GNev2 He’s on set filming with us as a guest dragon for next season of Dragons’ Den (will be out early next year) but he’s already fit in like one of the gang after just one pitch!’.
Davies did a follow-up Tweet to confirm that Neville’s guest appearances wouldn’t see another Dragon get replaced and, instead, ‘a sixth chair’ will be used.
The 48-year-old moved into media work after retiring and is now a high profile and highly respected pundit and co-commentator for Sky Sports.
Speaking about the move, Neville said: ‘I am excited to join the Dragons, and to meet the entrepreneurs brave enough to face us in the Den.
‘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.’
He also jointly owns League Two side Salford City alongside former United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and brother Phil, and started out as a property developer while still playing for the Red Devils.
Neville played more than 600 times for Manchester United in a stellar career and won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions League crowns.
Steven Bartlett confirmed on Wednesday that he will be stepping away from the show at the end of the upcoming season
The business mogul and podcast owner took to social media to confirm that it was his ‘last day’ on set for the hit BBC TV show
Neville, meanwhile, has been heavily involved in media work since retiring from football
Neville will join the panel alongside regular Dragons Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Davies.
On Neville’s addition, executive producer Samantha Davies said: ‘For the first time in the show’s 21 series there will be a sixth chair in the Den as we welcome our first guest Dragons.
‘And what better additions to our established line-up than business juggernauts Emma Grede and Gary Neville.
‘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.
