Duncan Bannatyne founded the health-club chain Bannatyne Fitness and became a Dragon on the BBC series Dragon's Den.
Bannatyne built his business career through a range of ventures before concentrating on health clubs, hotels and spas. The Bannatyne Group became one of the largest health-club operators in the United Kingdom, with gyms and leisure facilities across the country.
He joined Dragon's Den in the first series and became known for direct questioning and a willingness to assess practical business fundamentals. His health-and-leisure background is distinct from Peter Jones's technology and communications interests and Theo Paphitis's retail career, two common sources of confusion.
Bannatyne left the regular Dragon's Den panel in 2014. He continued to be publicly associated with entrepreneurship, philanthropy and television appearances after his departure from the programme.