‘I represent a more modern era'

New Dragon Steven Bartlett on how he hopes to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs

- MICHAEL DARLING

When Dragons’ Den hit our screens in 2005, a 12-year-old Steven Bartlett could be found avidly watching the series at his home in Plymouth.

Fast forward to 2022, and Steven, who went on to co-found social-media marketing agency Social Chain at the age of 20, is now sitting in one of those famous investor’s chairs himself and making history as the show’s youngest-ever Dragon.

As series 19 continues this week, here, in an exclusive interview, Steven, 29, tells TV Times why it’s a dream job…

How does it feel to be on a show you watched growing up?

It’s amazing! I watched it when I was 12, so I’ve been a bit of a fanboy of Dragons like Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones for ages.

As well as Deborah and Peter, you also sit alongside Sara Davies and Touker Suleyman on the panel. Did they give you any advice before you started?

All of the Dragons gave me the most helpful and amazing advice before and during filming.

I went to dinner with nearly all of them before I became a Dragon, so I was able to chat to them about their experiences.