Duncan Bannatyne received an OBE in 2004 before becoming known to television audiences through Dragon's Den.
Bannatyne was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2004 New Year Honours for services to charity and business. He had built a varied business career, including children’s nurseries, health clubs and hotels, before joining the original Dragon's Den panel.
His television style combined blunt financial questioning with a strong interest in businesses that could grow. He was one of the five investors present when the British series launched in 2005, so the honour predates his Dragon's Den television profile.
An OBE is not a knighthood and does not give its recipient the title “Sir”. This is a common point of confusion in biographies of prominent British entrepreneurs. Bannatyne's honour was awarded as Duncan Bannatyne OBE, reflecting membership of the Order at Officer level.