Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne has denied claims that he has been hypocritical about his holiday choices.

The 60-year-old businessman recently filmed scenes for the The Great British Holiday Show, in which he encouraged people to holiday in Britain, he has since flew out to spend summer in his villa in France.

During filming Duncan commented: “People should be holidaying here instead of going abroad.”

Jan Garfield, a Tory councillor for Felixstowe, later claimed that he should be “practising what he preaches”.

A spokesman for the English Tourist Board added: “In England, we can offer history and heritage, world class attractions, fantastic coastal and countryside destinations and unrivalled city breaks, not to mention better value with the current exchange rate… why would you want to tweet about anywhere else?”

Responding to his critics, Bannatyne told the Daily Express: “The concept of the show is for me to bring my business knowledge to seaside resorts so that they can learn how to improve their offerings in such a hard financial climate.

“I’m not saying people should only holiday in Britain, but there is no doubt that people are looking for cheaper options right now and we have some really wonderful resorts here, as well as on the continent.”

He added: “As for my house in France, I was lucky enough to buy it years ago, long before the recession. I make full use of it and enjoy it as anyone else would.”

Dragons’ Den panellist Theo Paphitis has joined the board of Marvel Entertainment.

Having previously revived retail brands including Ryman the Stationer and the Contessa and La Senza lingerie chains, Paphitis will be overseeing the development of Marvel’s interests in Europe from September.

“I’ve always said that business should be fun and joining the advisory board of Marvel is certainly that,” said Paphitis. “Having loved Marvel’s comics, films and merchandise, I now find myself sharing them with my children and grandchildren.

“Although Marvel is 70 years old, it is in its infancy in most markets outside the US and UK. I’m looking forward to helping Marvel develop positive results in new territories.”

David Attenborough has a point, the Dragons certainly are a fearsome species!

Launching a new musical is a notoriously risky venture; will Kent-based theatre director and former Pebble Mill presenter Josephine Buchan hit the right note in her quest for cash? East London brothers Oliver and Toby Richmond hope there will be no stalling when they ask the Dragons to invest in their car servicing company. A former GCSE project takes centre stage when Welsh student Emily Webb asks for 75,000 pounds to take her invention to market, and Rugby duo Frank Drewett and Lawrence Webb hope a Dragon’s backing will help lift the lid on the potential of their wheelie bin accessory.

Tonight, 9PM BBC Two

Top British inventor Trevor Baylis has hit out at the producers of Dragons’ Den, saying that the show belittles entrants.

Baylis invented the clockwork radio in 1989 and has asked the BBC to show more respect to the people who put themselves forward for the show.

Speaking to the Daily Express, Baylis commented: “I’ve nothing against a television show that treats inventors with due deference and respect. But I’m afraid that appears to be the last thing on the producers’ minds.

“They seem to regard the inventors who go on the programme as nothing but gameshow contestants to be mocked and belittled by the ‘Dragons’ in the most humiliating manner.”

Everyone wants to be Simon Cowell eh?

TV’s dragon slayer Levi Roots brings carnival to the kitchen with his hot’n’spicy debut cookbook. After winning over the business minds of The Dragon’s Den with little more than a song and a smile, entrepreneur Levi Roots has since sold more than one million bottles of his delicious Reggae Reggae Sauce. Building on this success and his ever-growing popularity as a food hero, Levi Roots now has his very own cookbook!

Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Cookbook brings the excitement and vitality of Caribbean flavours to your own cooking. An eclectic and colourful range of recipes from simple dishes for students to fantastic feasts for friends are all accompanied by heart-warming anecdotes in Levi’s incomparable tell-it-like-it-is style. This bright and colourful book brings together influences as diverse as Jamaican folk tales, Notting Hill Carnival and the music of Bob Marley to create family-friendly food with that famous jerk kick.

Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Cookbook will surely add a funky beat to what you eat!Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Cookbook features more than 80 simple and exciting recipes such as Mash-Up Eggs, Salmon St Jago de la Vega , Guinness Punch, Rum Cake and Sweet Potato Pudding. Levi also offers a diverse range of vegetarian dishes and puts a Caribbean twist on classic European favourites such as pizza and pasta. Contents include: Everyday Caribbean Rise and Shine Reggae Flavours Carnival Sweet Satisfaction Reggae Extras

Dragons’ Den has got to be one of the best reality TV shows around and the fact that some people actually launch a decent career off the back of it (think Levi Roots of Reggae Reggae sauce and Imran Hakim of the iTeddy) makes it doubly enjoyable for me.

Series 7 of the show kicked off last week and on tonight’s episode we see the Dragons’ all standing around pounding on huge drums. I have no idea how they can make any money off this, but it does make good, visual TV.

Watch tonight’s show at 9PM on BBC Two

The panel of Theo Paphitis, James Caan, Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne returns, offering entrepreneurs hope of cash investments in the difficult economic climate. Business pitches include personalised romantic novels, a scary attraction, eco-friendly patio heaters and a device to end nuisance phone calls.

This has to be the best reality TV show since The Apprentice!

Wednesday 15th July 9:00pm BBC Two

It seems that Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne is about to put his not inconsiderable knowledge of revamping businesses to the test for a new TV show.

The Virgin Media show, ‘Save Our Seaside’ does exactly what it says on the tin and Duncan will play an integral role in rescuing some of the UK’s most downtrodden seaside resorts.

A spokesman for Virgin1 told the Press Association today, “We are really excited to be working with Duncan Bannatyne on what we hope will be a series which will capture the imaginations of the British people and encourage a regeneration of our seaside attractions – which are a huge part of our heritage” said a spokesperson for Virgin1.

An expert in the Leisure industry, Duncan will visit various seaside resorts around the UK including Barry Island in the Vale of Glamorgan and ‘Westcliff Leisure Park’ in Kent. In both resorts he’ll apparently “work on the attractions” and see how flagging tourist numbers can be boosted.

Dragons’ Den judge Duncan Bannatyne has said that Prime Minister Gordon Brown should read his new book How To Be Smart With Your Money.

Bannatyne told thelondonpaper: “I think he must read this book and I’m certainly going to send him a copy. I’m actually going to see him in a couple of weeks’ time so I’ll take him a signed copy!

“Perhaps I’ll write another for him; How To Be Smart With Our Money!”

He added: “There’s a couple of ideas I’m gonna run by him, such as how banks treat small businesses.

“I know banks are suffering, but that’s their own fault, and they shouldn’t use that to whip small businesses.”