Dragons’ Den fans were left squirming after Touker Suleyman tabled a rather ‘awkward’ offer to a budding haircare mogul on the popular programme.
In a gripping instalment, 24 year old Lucie Macleod pitched her Hair Syrup brand, which she concocted as a cost-saving measure during her university days.
Lucie’s venture is on track to rake in an eye-watering £6.5 million by 2025, leaving the Dragons initially stunned by the meteoric rise of the business since its inception in 2019, with sales rocketing thanks to exposure.
Yet, it quickly became evident that Lucie was floundering with the finer points of running her enterprise, prompting Deborah Meaden and guest Dragon Trinny Woodall to bow out.
Touker then threw a curveball: he proposed a £190,000 investment for just a 3% slice of the company, on the condition that he gets his money back within three months, reports .
The other dragons put Lucie off the deal (Image: BBC)
He also demanded that his stake remain untouched post-repayment, sweetening the deal with the promise of his guidance. Lucie, seeking a partner to help her avoid potential pitfalls, admitted: “I want someone to grow with me and help me to not make mistakes I probably am going to make without someone.”
Despite amassing a fortune from Hair Syrup, becoming a self-made multimillionaire, she revealed that what she truly ‘wanted or needed’ was simply ‘mentorship’.
Touker Suleyman’s eyebrow-raising proposal not only caught the attention of his fellow Dragons but also stunned the contestant, Lucie Hair Syrup founder, prompting immediate reactions from the business titans. Steven Bartlett couldn’t hide his shock, exclaiming “What? ” as Lucie hastily agreed to mentorship terms without equity.
Deborah Meaden took a moment to caution Lucie: “You’re basically giving away those shares. I just need you to be really clear and understand.”
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Dragons Den viewers were not impressed by this uncomfortable offer (Image: BBC)
Despite the warning, Lucie went ahead and shook hands on the deal, eliciting gasps from the Dragons and sending viewers into a tailspin.
Criticism of Touker’s offer exploded online, with viewers describing it as ‘shady’ and expressing their discomfort at witnessing the tense exchange. Comments poured in over social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
A user slammed the agreement: “What a rotten deal lol basically just taking 3% for nothing.” while another chimed in calling it the “most greediest offer Touker has ever made”. The online uproar continued with someone else questioning, “What have I just watched,” and another stating, “That was horrifically uncomfortable viewing.”
Concerned by what he was seeing, Touker ultimately retracted his proposition, insisting that he didn’t want to give Lucie the impression of being ‘tricked’.
“I tell you what Lucie,” Touker finally conceded. “I can feel you’re uncomfortable and I don’t want to take away 3% for nothing from your business so I’m out.”
Dragons’ Den witnessed both on-screen investors and audiences feeling a sense of reprieve when an iffy deal finally tanked. A viewer expressed relief, commenting: “That’s a very shady deal from Touker glad she didn’t take it.”
Upon leaving the den, Lucie heard Touker defend his contentious pitch, insisting he had “tried to find a solution” for the dividend and withdrawal conundrum, while Peter Jones acknowledged the entrepreneur for doing the “honourable thing” in the end.
Dragons’ Den airs Thursdays at 8pm on One and iPlayer.