Dragons' Den

Episode 1 (9x1)

: 31, 2011

It may be a time of austerity in the UK but not so in the Dragons' Den... business is booming as the self-made multimillionaires return to the screen, ready to boost the economy by investing in the brightest and best of Britain's entrepreneurs. Whilst the rules of the series remain the same, you will notice one change... the arrival of new Dragon Hilary Devey, who joins the line-up of the five fearsome financiers. Having scrimped, saved and self-sacrificed in the haulage industry to make her own fortune, Hilary has her own views on the products and businesses brought before her, and she's more than happy to take on her rivals in order to get the best deal. 34-year-old Georgette Hewitt, from Kent, finds out exactly how nerve-wracking it can be to climb those famous stairs and pitch to the Dragons. It's a real battle to compose her nerves, but one she must win in order to tempt the multimillionaires to invest in her answer to a common birthday party headache familiar to all parents. Entrepreneurs often take advantage of the latest government schemes and incentives when building their business, which is exactly what Chris Hopkins from Yorkshire has done by capitalising on the solar power feed-in tariff. But when a Dragon knows your industry inside out it's not always what you want. Add into the mix the most unusual use you could ever think of for a plastic egg, a circus act that's sure to go with a bang, and a mind coaching massage service, and you've got a formidable showcase of the Great British spirit of invention and innovation. As ever Evan Davis is on hand to dissect the events, with further action and reaction available through the Red Button.