Duncan Bannatyne was born on 2 February 1949 in Clydebank, Scotland, into a working-class family. His father served in the military and later worked in a factory, while Bannatyne grew up in modest conditions.

He left school at 15 with no qualifications and joined the Royal Navy, where he served for several years before leaving. After working various jobs, he moved into business in his late twenties.

His entrepreneurial career began with an ice cream van business, which he expanded and sold. He then built a nursing home company (Quality Care Homes), selling it for £26 million, followed by a children’s nursery chain and later a large health club and spa business.

Bannatyne became widely known as a Dragon on Dragons’ Den (BBC Two/BBC One), appearing from 2005 to 2015 and investing in dozens of businesses.

He now lives partly in Portugal with his family and continues to run business ventures and charitable activities.