Hilary Devey Dragons’ Den replacement ‘likes taupe’

Entrepreneur Hilary Devey, a former panellist on the television challenge show Dragons’ Den, says she knows nothing about her replacement on the BBC show – except that “she likes taupe”.

The self-made millionaire’s place was filled by interior designer Kelly Hoppen, who is famous for kitting out houses in the neutral colour.

Devey told the Radio Times: “I don’t know very much about her other than that she likes taupe. I hate taupe. I’m quite flamboyant and over-the-top in my interior design.”

Ms Devey, who made her fortune in freight haulage, said her best Dragons’ Den investment had been a mattress/duvet for caravans, boats and trucks.

She added: “What you’re not told is that when the programme is broadcast other investors often make offers and the entrepreneurs then back out.

“So the poor Dragons have spent all this money during the period of ‘due diligence’ for nothing.”

She denied her new Channel 4 show, The Intern, was similar to Lord Sugar’s BBC1 series The Apprentice.

She said: “It’s nothing like The Apprentice. It’s got a heart, and me, kicking the candidates and tearing a strip off them when they need it. Every week there’s a winner who walks away with a dream job.”