Which Dragon's Den investor is the founder of the leisure-centre chain Bannatyne?

Duncan Bannatyne is the Dragon's Den investor who founded the Bannatyne leisure-centre chain.

Bannatyne built businesses in care homes, hotels and health clubs before developing the leisure brand that bears his name. Bannatyne Group operates health clubs, spas and hotels, making leisure and wellness central to his business career.

He was part of the original Dragon's Den panel when the UK programme launched in 2005. His direct questioning and preference for clear commercial propositions made him one of the most recognisable early dragons.

Bannatyne left the regular panel after the fourth series, although he remained closely associated with the programme. The chain's name is sometimes written with or without a possessive apostrophe in informal references, but “Bannatyne” is the identifying brand name and surname.