Gary Neville says Dragon’s Den gives him same ‘thrilling feeling’ as playing at Manchester United
As the football pundit returns as a Guest Dragon, Gary Neville has said he gets the same "thrilling feeling" on Dragon's Den as he had walking out at Old Trafford for Manchester United.
Gary Neville gets the same “thrilling feeling” on Dragon’s Den as he had at Manchester United.
The 50-year-old football pundit is to join Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett as a Guest Dragon in series 23 of the BBC show, and Gary - who played at Manchester United from 1992 to 2011 - has compared his experience at Old Trafford to Dragon’s Den.
Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I couldn’t love the programme more. Everyone in front of the camera and behind it made me feel so welcome.
“Walking out of the tunnel at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player was a thrilling feeling and this was an experience that came close to that feeling.”
Gary - who made his first guest appearance on Dragon’s Den in 2024 - added “working with people” was the most important factor he looks for in new investments.
He said: “To me they’re the most important part of any business, so I'm always going to look for a great entrepreneur and if they’ve got something that I believe in alongside believing in them, then they’ve got a great chance.”
He added: “I have to like the product and the people, then you’re looking at the opportunity. The location of the business is important to me but it’s probably the one thing you compromise on if you like the people and the product so much.”
As well as the footballing star, other Guest Dragons include REFY boss Jenna Meek, Tropic Skincare’s Susie Ma and rapper Tinie Tempah.
Tinie Tempah - whose real name is Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu - explained he has been a fan of Dragon’s Den for “over a decade”, and has been “entrepreneurial from the start of [his] music career and began angel investing around 2016”.
He added: “When I was asked to be a guest Dragon, I simply couldn’t refuse. Outside of music and entertainment, I’m interested in technology, health, food beverage and crypto/Web3.”
Tinie noted his experience as a Guest Dragon was a “surprise”.
He said: “I’d say I’m a shrewd but empathetic Dragon. I tend to get more excited by young founders and entrepreneurs, as it reminds me of myself starting out in the music industry at a very young age.
“I’m mainly interested in businesses where I can add significant value beyond capital. If I can’t, or I have no interest in the sector, I won’t waste my time or theirs.”
The next series of Dragon’s Den airs on BBC One on 29 January 2026 at 8pm, and will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
