14 April 2023 , 14:01
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Dragons' Den viewers were left "screaming" at their TVs after Deborah Meaden withdrew her £75,000 offer after a pair of entrepreneurs cheekily tried to ask for more.
Business owners Lee Denny and Julia Lowe took to the BBC show in an effort to secure an investment into their adult summer camp.
The duo went into the den asking for a 5 per cent stake in their company in return for a £75,000 investment.
They had confessed they hoped to impress Deborah as she is their favourite Dragon, and were keen to work with the business woman on their brand.
Dragon Deborah, 64, was initially impressed with their idea for which they called "the UK's first summer camp for adults".
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The entrepreneurs were pitching an adult summer camp (BBC)The businesswoman liked it that much, she offered the pair all of the money for a 25 per cent stake in their business.
Yet in a moment that shocked viewers, the entrepreneurs attempted to negotiate with Deborah to get back to their 5 per cent ask.
It didn't go down well, leaving the dragon saying she found it offensive before she withdrew her offer all together.
She said: "Do you know, in your last counteroffer, I have to tell you, I nearly fell off my chair.
"And that really worried me. I'm getting insights into how you are going to be when you go out there and you do business and, do you know what?
"I'm afraid I withdraw my offer. I'm out."
Deborah was so unimpressed, she withdrew her offer (BBC)"Deborah with a withering putdown. Ouch," commented one viewer.
Another added: "OMG what a complete disaster. I was screaming at the TV to just take the 25 per cent. Big mistake. HUGE."
"Clearly that's why Deborah Meaden is as rich as she is! Withdrawing from that was genius," someone else said.
A fourth viewer wrote: "The counteroffer was laughable - as Deborah pointed out that said everything about them in terms of running a business."
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"What fools! I'd have bitten off Deborah's hand!"
Deborah has been on the BBC show since 2006. She made a name for herself through leisure and retail businesses before joining Dragons' Den.