10 February 2024 , 20:00
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Dragon’s Den star Sara Davies has confessed she had no idea what Gary Neville looked like before meeting him on the show.
The entrepreneur, 39, told how she had an awkward run-in with the Manchester United legend on set for his first day filming when she didn't realise that “that bloke in hair and make-up” was actually guest dragon Gary, 48.
Speaking on the Sunday Mirror’s Invite Only podcast, Sara said: “I'm embarrassed to admit this. I knew he was a football pundit and I've obviously heard of Gary Neville, but I don't know what he looks like. I've never met him in my life and I don't watch the football show.
Sara Davies with her fellow dragons (BBC Studios/Simon Pantling)“So I'm sitting in hair and make-up from 7am. The lads don't rock up until 9am because it takes me and Deborah a little bit longer. Then there’s this bloke in the corner in hair and make-up. I’m mouthing to my make-up artist Claire: 'Who's that? In the corner, who's that?'
“Claire's going, ‘Who? What guy? There's only Gary Neville here.’ And I went, ‘Oh, that's Gary Neville!’ She just couldn't compute that I wouldn't know who Gary Neville was. But actually he's just very normal.
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"He's a dad (and) his kids are not overly dissimilar ages to my kids. He was so nervous about the business side, and you know, a lot of men, because there's so much ego, they don't want to admit that they're nervous. (But) there was no ego with him. We got on unbelievably well.. I text him sometimes."
The Sunday Mirror's Laura Armstrong (l) and Nicola Fahey (r) with Sara Davies (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)Gary made his appearance on Dragon’s Den after boasting a £100 million empire spanning hospitality, property development and digital marketing. Among his major enterprises is Hotel Football, a luxury hotel overlooking Old Trafford and The Stock Exchange Hotel near Piccadilly Gardens, one of the top hotels in Manchester, alongside former team-mate Ryan Giggs.
Last year saw a massive high for Dragon's Den - with soaring ratings delivering the most successful series since 2011. Sara is back in the chair for the hit BBC show's latest season, alongside Peter Jones, Steven Bartlett, Deborah Meaden and Touker Souleyman.
Listen to Sara’s full interview on Invite Only on Apple Podcasts.