Dragons’ Den star leaves fans ‘gutted’ after revealing bosses ‘forced’ them to axe new role away from hit BBC show
A DRAGONS' Den star has left fans feeling 'gutted' after revealing that bosses 'forced' them to axe their new role away from the hit BBC show.
Evan Davis, who hosts BBC Dragons' Den, teamed up with Bean Beanland to talk about the positives and negatives of heat pumps.
But he has told his followers that their Happy Heat Pump Podcast will be coming to an end after only 20 episodes.
The podcast was first launched in November 2024 and growing a following of fans, with over 900 subscribers on YouTube.
However, Evan has now said the podcast will no longer produce episodes.
Posting on social media, the BBC radio host wrote: "Sorry to say that after about 20 episodes, we’re drawing it to a close at the request of the BBC, which worries it may be seen as steering into areas of public controversy.
Dragons Den
"The BBC legitimately regulates its presenters’ external activities.
"And for good reason, they like us to avoid stepping into live arguments.
"Thanks to the thousands of folks who’ve listened. The episodes will remain online.. a great introduction to heat pumps."
His followers were shocked at the announcement and one person said: "This is shocking! I thought the move to heat pumps was inevitable so where's the controversy?"
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"How the hell are heat pumps controversial? This says more about the BBC to be honest." added another.
A third exclaimed: "Controversial? Are heat pumps seen as left wing? I think this is more a reflection of the BBC than anything else."
While another added: "This is sad news, that the BBC seems to be scared of its own shadow.
"The only way to enable people to take an informed view on controversial matters such a net zero is to provide fact based advice.
"This podcast seems very much in keeping with those BBC values."
"The BBC kowtowing to vested interests...THAT'S the controversy. That's the bias" added another follower.
Dragons' Den stars - past and present
Dragons' Den has been on our screens since 2005 and sees entrepreneurs enter the Den to try and win investment for their businesses from the Dragons.
Over the years there have been many wealthy investors sitting in the famous seats, here's a rundown of them all and how long they were on the show for.
- Peter Jones - series 1 - present
- Deborah Meaden - series 3 - present
- Touker Suleyman - series 13 - present
- Sara Davies - series 17 - present
- Steven Bartlett - series 19 - present
- Duncan Bannatyne - series 1 - 12
- Rachel Elnaugh - series 1 and 2
- Doug Richard - series 1 and 2
- Simon Woodroffe - series 1
- Theo Paphitis - series 2 -10
- Richard Farleigh - series 3 and 4
- James Caan - series 5-8
- Hilary Devey - series 9 and 10
- Kelly Hoppen - series 11 and 12
- Piers Linney - series 11 and 12
- Nick Jenkins - series 13 and 14
- Sarah Willingham - series 13 and 14
- Jenny Campbell - series 15 and 16
- Tej Lalvani - series 15 - 18
- Emma Grede and Gary Neville were guest Dragons during series 21.
Evan's official description of the podcast on YouTube reads: "It's a UK objective to replace gas boilers over the coming two decades, with heat pumps being seen as the obvious alternative.
"It will be a massive project to change the way we heat our homes - we might be installing 25 million of these devices in the next three decades.
"So what are they? What do they cost? What are the positives and negatives of heat pumps?
"Always curious about the scale of the transition upon which we are set to embark, Evan will be looking at heat pumps in a dispassionate way, with Bean helping along the way… hoping to inform you if you’re thinking of buying one.
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"Or if you work in the industry, or if you are simply interested in the journey to net zero."
"Please do get in touch with any questions and we will try to answer them in future episodes [email protected] or please leave a happy comment."