Dragons' Den bosses chased tycoon for two years before he agreed to appear and won £200,000 deal

Dragons' Den bosses pursued an entrepreneur for two years to before he agreed to go on the show - only to secure a £200,000 investment. ...

Dragons' Den bosses pursued an entrepreneur for two years to before he agreed to go on the show - only to secure a £200,000 investment.

Businessman Phil Osband said he received multiple calls from producers asking him to go on the show before he agreed.

Mr Osband, 40, successfully pitched his shoe care brand Boot Banana, a product shaped like the fruit that aims to combat smelly feet, to Dragons Steve Jones and Steven Bartlett on the October 2 episode.

But it has since emerged that he did not have to apply to be on the show as staff reached out to him repeatedly from 2022 onwards.

The former climbing instructor said: 'I was chased for a couple of years to appear on the show and the timing was not quite right until last summer.

'Our products are in outdoor retailers and rock climbing centres and I think there is a crossover between rock climbing and the creative industries, so perhaps they found out about the business that way.'

Mr Osband invented the banana-shaped deodoriser made with odour-neutralising salts, minerals and botanicals, originally to insert into rock climbing shoes.

The businessman has since expanded his product range to include banana-shaped footwear driers and nail and skin files. 

He said he was 'terrified' about appearing in front of the Dragons as he dislikes public speaking.

But he was 'blown away' to receive their backing, which he hopes will transform the business he co-founded with his wife Alex in 2012.

Mr Osband, from Bournemouth, Dorset, said: 'Before you go on to pitch you have no idea how it will go.

'I don't like public speaking so I was terrified but I was blown away to get the Dragons' backing.

'Appearing on the show is an amazing platform which will give the business a lot of momentum.'

A BBC spokesperson said that producers approach entrepreneurs as well as seek applications for the show, which has run for 20 years.

The Dragons' Den application webpage states: 'As part of normal selection process we may approach entrepreneurs, or they may apply direct.

'In each case all applications are processed in the same way.

'To be considered, all candidates need to submit an application form and these are then subject to the same casting criteria.

'Unfortunately, due to the high number of applicants, only those people who are shortlisted will be contacted.

'However, we do consider all applications carefully.

'Once shortlisted for consideration applicants will enter due diligence, but ultimately the final selection for participation will be decided on a number of factors and the producers decision is final.'

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