Dragons' Den star's weird kitchen confession which means they can't use toaster

28 December 2023 , 18:31

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BBC Dragons' Den star's shares bizarre kitchen confession that stops them being able to use a toaster

A star of BBC's Dragons Den has revealed they might have all the millions and business success in the world, but they've been left stumped by a simple kitchen device.

Deborah Meaden, who has been part of the Dragons Den panel since 2006 as a potential investor for start ups and growing businesses, has confessed that she can't work a toaster. The businesswoman, who is estimated to be worth a whopping £40 million, doesn't have the kitchen appliance in her home instead opting for an Aga oven instead and has found that she actually can't work out how to make toast.

Deborah was confronted with her kitchen nemesis as part of comedy programme Taskmaster's New Year Treat, where she was challenged by Greg Davies and Alex Horne to 'pop' several items.

Deborah Meaden has starred on Dragon's Den since 2006

The episode, which will air in January on Channel 4, saw the business mogul advised to 'talk' to the toaster to make it work by taskmaster overseer Alex. Reflecting on the comedic incident, Deborah said: "Every now and then in life you do something and think, you stupid girl! I don’t have a toaster [at home]. We have an AGA, so I don’t use a toaster. I genuinely thought, what nobs do I press? And Alex [Horne] said to me, “It’s a voice-activated one.” What do you say to a toaster? I don’t know."

She added: "When I’m doing it, I’m thinking, I don’t think this is right [laughs]. I collapsed with laughter. It’s the most stupid thing I’ve ever done."

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Earlier this year the Dragons Den star revealed he makes sure to get herself checked every year after a cancerous pimple was spotted on her face. Deborah was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in 2015, which is the second most common form of skin cancer – according to the Skin Cancer Foundation – and the majority of the cases can be easily treated. Deborah's current diagnosis is "completely clear" but, previously, she was told she is prone to getting another squamous if she doesn't protect her skin from the sun.

Appearing on Lorraine in July, Deborah explained why she decided to speak out about the cancerous spot. Host Christine Lampard said: "You're doing well I know you spoke last year about a skin cancer diagnosis something that you didn't even notice, but your makeup artist did."

Deborah Meaden was part of Taskmaster's New Year Treat, which saw the star unable to use a toaster (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for)

The star confessed she can't use a toaster due to having an Aga oven at home (WireImage)

Confirming the statement, Deborah answered: "It was the lovely Sue who made me up this morning. She just said I don't usually get spots and she noticed a little white pimple that had been there for about a month and said that it was unusual and I need to get it checked out.

"I spoke about it because I think most people think about skin cancers as moles or changes of colour or texture in the skin. And I spoke about it because I actually thought nobody ever told me to take a look at what looked like a tiny little white head. I still get myself checked every year because I'm obviously very prone to it."

Niamh Spence