Dragons’ Den veteran Touker Suleyman clashed with newbie Steven Bartlett in a heated exchange on last night’s episode.
Fashion entrepreneur Touker, 68, became enraged when social media CEO Steven, 29, said he disagreed with his plans for an eco-friendly toilet care brand.
At one point Touker turned to Steven and shouted: ‘What do you know about business?’, to which Steven replied: ‘What do I know about business Touker? I built a £300million business at 28 years old.’
Steven has been at the centre of several rows in the Den this season, including one where he told Touker: ‘We don’t need you’.
Viewers were divided over who was in the right last night, with some saying Touker was ‘threatened’ and others branding Steven ‘condescending’.
Fashion entrepreneur Touker, 68, pictured, became enraged when social media CEO Steven, 29, said he disagreed with his plans for an eco-friendly toilet care brand
At one point Touker turned to Steven (pictured) and shouted: ‘What do you know about business?’, to which Steven replied: ‘What do I know about business Touker? I built a £300million business at 28 years old’
Steven later clarified on Twitter that he and Touker ‘don’t take things personally’ on the show
One tweeted: ‘Touker was out of order, clearly threatened by a younger dragon being in the den #dragonsden.’
Another added: ‘You were fabulous Steven…put Touker right back in his box “what do you know about business” best reply ever! You rock you are truly inspirational #dragonsden.’
A third wrote: ‘Touker is on top form tonight. Go @toukersuleyman #dragonsden.’
The Dragons went head-to-head over a pitch by Giorgia and Eli, who were seeking £50,000 in exchange for 2 per cent equity in their business, Wype.
Wype is a toilet paper gel that serves as an eco-friendly alternative to a wet wipe, giving users a bidet-clean feeling on the go.
The Dragons went head-to-head over a pitch by Giorgia and Eli, pictured, who were seeking £50,000 in exchange for 2 per cent equity in their business, Wype
Viewers were divided over who was in the right, with some saying Touker was ‘threatened’ and others branding Steven ‘condescending’
After listening to the pitch, Touker suggested the entrepreneurs might want to consider targeting the parent and baby market, noted that eco-conscious mothers and fathers will be looking for an alternative to countless throwaway wet wipes.
Steven interjected, saying: ‘I don’t think so. I think you’ve positioned yourself in the least saturated part of the market. I think otherwise you’re in there with talcum powder and all of these other children products. It’s impossible.’
Touker countered: ‘But what I’m saying here is if you’ve got mothers who are very eco-minded, who are using wipes, they now see that they can get round this problem.’
Steven responded: ‘I tend to disagree,’ which prompted Touker to interrupt him and hit back: ‘Never disagree with me because I’ve got a lot more experience than you’ve got.’
Touker suggested the entrepreneurs might want to consider targeting the parent and baby market, noted that eco-conscious mothers and fathers will be looking for an alternative to countless throwaway wet wipes
However social media whizz Steven (pictured) disagreed, prompting the clash in the Den
Steven replied: ‘Social media?’
Touker became even more irate and pointed his finger as he turned to Steven and said: ‘What do you know about business?’
An amazed Steven responded: ‘What do I know about business Touker? I built a £300million business at 28 years old.’
An exasperated Touker collapsed in his chair and said: ‘Oh come on, please. Carry on, talk about social media.’
Steven had the last word, adding: ‘As I was saying before Touker got triggered there…’
It comes after fan favourite Steven Bartlett, pictured, clashed with veteran Touker Suleyman over a dog accessories company
Steven was praised after his ‘ruthless undercut’ of Peter Jones – who asked for a huge 20 per cent of a business described as ‘Vivino for cheese’ on last week’s episode
Ultimately Steven bowed out of the bid and Touker made an offer of £50,000 for a 15 per cent stake in the business that was rejected by the couple.
Tweeting after the show, Steven said none of the Dragons’ ‘take things personally’ and it was all just competitive business.
It comes after Steven, who at just 29 is the youngest Dragon the programme has ever seen, went head-to-head with Suleyman while trying to invest in a pet accessories company.
Fashion retail entrepreneur Suleyman offered to split a £50,000 stake in Piddle Patch, a mobile dog toilet training product, but was interrupted by Bartlett who said: ‘Absolutely not. We don’t need you.’
The moment left viewers cringing, with one tweeting: ‘That wasn’t even remotely jovial that was just uncomfortable to watch.’
Earlier he also took a swipe at Peter Jones and accused him of ‘sucking the life’ out of a business.