Piers Linney says ‘Dragons’ Den’ stalwart Duncan Bannatyne "will be missed".
The Scottish entrepreneur, 65, has amassed a huge fortune across a number of industries and after 12 series of the BBC Two show recently decided that now is the right time to walk away.
Fellow Dragon Piers said the decision has come as no surprise, telling the Metro newspaper: "I think he was just ready to go.
"He is very insightful and has a particular talent for just cutting through everything. He will be missed but I’m also looking forward to seeing who they bring in, or what happens next."
New episodes of the popular show are set to air this week and Piers – the co-founder of successful IT company Outsourcery – says that he was keen to build on his business successes in the new series.
He explained: "You make a decision and you take quite big punts. But I think in Series 12, I come into my own a bit.
"There are a few interesting tech-driven, or e-commerce businesses and with tech you have to go big or go home."
The new series of ‘Dragons’ Den’ starts on Sunday (20.07.14) on BBC Two.
Dragon Piers Linney not surprised by Bannatyne exit
