Theo Paphitis returns to Dragons' Den

Former \'Dragon\'s Den\' star Theo Paphitis will return to the show this summer.

The retail tycoon left the investment programme in 2013, but he will make a brief appearance to stand in for pal Touker Suleyman, who was hospitalised with pneumonia.

Theo said: "It was my \'Godfather\' moment ... just as I thought I was out, they pull me back in, and it was a pleasure to breathe some Dragon fire into the Den again.

"When I received the call asking me to stand in for part of this upcoming season it didn\'t take long to say yes, but it did feel like my Bobby Ewing moment, stepping out of the shower the moment I sat in the chair like I had never been away. I did try to reclaim my middle chair from Deborah but she wasn\'t having any of it.

"Being the first and only Emeritus Dragon in the Den is an honour.

"I enjoyed relieving the current Dragons of some great investments along the way, and rekindling some old rivalry."

The BBC Two show returns on Sunday (11.08.19) and will feature a line-up of multi-millionaires Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Tej Lalvani and the youngest ever Dragon, Sara Davies.

Touker will be missing from four episodes of the series after he was hospitalised.

The 65-year-old businessman said: "I\'m grateful that my good friend Theo was able to step in to the Den to keep my seat warm while I had some time off.

"I can\'t wait to see him back in action and keeping the other Dragons on their toes, but don\'t worry, I wasn\'t gone for long!"

Theo originally appeared on \'Dragons\' Den\' from 2005 until 2013, but he left to focus on his retail business.

Deborah said: "What was brilliant is that he slotted straight back in. It was like he\'d always been there."