Dragons’ Den fans shocked as business pitch takes major inspiration from beloved sitcom

Virgin Radio

5 Jan 2024, 10:40

Dragons’ Den made a huge comeback during its first episode with a pitch that left fans rather confused. 

Series 21 began last night (4th January) with Dragons Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman, Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett and Sara Davies on the panel. 

Business duo Lina and Daniel stood in front of the intense panel to share their pitch for Pop Specs, a company that makes stylish but affordable prescription glasses. 

If that name rings a bell, it’s because Pop Specs was also a fictional company in the Absolutely Fabulous world. 

In an episode of Ab Fab airing in 1994, Jennifer Saunders’ Edina Monsoon discusses a new campaign for colourful glasses called Pop Specs with long-suffering daughter Saffie, who makes the mistake of asking what on earth Pop Specs are. 

‘What are Pop Specs?!” Edina replies, before asking: “Are you dead? These are them!” before holding up said glasses with hilarious flip-up lenses. 

While there were clearly no Absolutely Fabulous fans on the Den panel, fans at home were quick to pick up on the inspiration. 

Taking to X, one Dragons’ Den fan wrote: “Can't believe that two entrepreneurs have had the audacity to appear on #Dragonsden trying to sell Pop Specs! Surely @Dawn_French and @JenSaundersFans could sue, as they invented them first.”

“I do hope Edina is getting her cut for them stealing her idea! #PopSpecs #DragonsDen @dragonjones #AbsolutelyFabulous @BBCOne,” wrote another. 

A third commented: “Ab Fab writers and their lawyers seeing pop specs on #dragonsden,” alongside a maniacal laughing gif.

According to the real Pop Specs owners, their glasses can be fitted with prescriptions in just 20 minutes, and offer a range of frames between £75 and £195. 

It seems that the Pop Specs pitch worked a treat with the Dragons though, as offers were made by Touker, Peter and Sara . They all agreed 4 percent each in return for £25,000 investment each. 

Dragons’ Den continues Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.