Dragons' Den star, 36, found dead at home hours after awards ceremony

23 March 2023 , 17:29

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Dragons' Den star Drew Cockton died in October last year (Image: BBC)

Dragon's Den star Drew Cockton penned a loving note before he died from a "mixed drugs overdose", an inquest founds.

Drew Cockton, 36, who appeared on the show in 2021, was found dead at his home in the Wirral in October last year, after a night out.

Coroner Andre Rebello ruled that Mr Cockton died from a "mixed drug overdose."

He said: "Drew was very much loved and continued to be loved. You cannot have grief without love.

"The inquest is very much a celebration of his life and the love that still persists."

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A hand written note was found at the scene, understood to have been written by Mr Cockton at an earlier date, because of the high levels of alcohol in his system at his time of death.

Drew died in October last year (Handout)

A post mortem found he died from an overdose of prescription painkillers and antipsychotic drugs.

On October 22 at 12.45pm he was found at his home, the day after holding the LGBTQ+ Business Awards at a hotel in Liverpool

The Liverpool Echo reports Mr Rebello said: "Certainly, the note appears to be that from a very loving, caring person who is trying to explain what is going on, and at some stage it would appear there was some intent of fatal harm. Whether it was written that night or previously, I don't know."

Mr Cockton secured a £50,000 investment from dragon Touker Suleyman for his luxury fragrance business.

Drew Cockton secured an investment on Dragons' Den (BBC)

He appeared on the show with the "world's most expensive candle," with a hand-made, 24-carat gold display.

After his death, mum Kate Drew said: "We are truly, utterly heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Drew Peter George Cockton (my gorgeous boy) died peacefully at home yesterday. We are devastated beyond belief. Life is never, ever going to be the same again. Rest Peacefully darling boy."

At just 22, Mr Cockton opened a hotel on Canal Street in Manchester, with the business only lasting 12 months.

Drew Cockton wrote a note before his death (mrowendrew/Instagram)

He told the dragons that he "worked so hard" he made himself ill.

He began making and selling candles on social media in 2016, from a property in Birkenhead.

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Drew organised the first North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards in 2021.

He spoke to the Liverpool Echo a week before his death on the importance of standing up for the LGBTQ+ community, with hate crimes on the rise.

Katherine Heslop