Duncan Bannatyne is the Dragon's Den investor who founded Bannatyne Group and became associated with saying “I'm out.”
Bannatyne built businesses in care homes, health clubs and hotels, bringing a large service-sector portfolio to the investor panel. Bannatyne Group operates health clubs and spas under his name, although the group has changed and expanded over time.
On Dragon's Den, investors commonly indicate that they are declining a proposal by saying “I'm out.” The expression is not exclusive to Bannatyne, but his blunt delivery and long-running presence made it particularly associated with him in popular memory.
Bannatyne joined the UK panel in the first series and remained for several seasons before leaving the programme. He was born in Clydebank, Scotland, in 1949 and was appointed an OBE in 2003 for charitable and business services.