Director plans Duncan Bannatyne musical

Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne is due to become the subject of a musical charting the ups and downs of his success.

Award-winning theatre director Gordon McDougall has written a two-hour-long musical adaptation of Bannatyne's autobiography Anyone Can Do It, and is planning to launch the show at a Somerset theatre this November.

The unauthorised account will show the events of the 61-year-old entrepreneur's life, through Bannatyne's singing character. Key events include his humble beginnings as an ice cream seller, the affair which ended his first marriage, a court martial for trying to throw a Navy officer overboard and his rise to multi-millionaire businessman.

Speaking of the project, McDougall said: "I don't know what Duncan will think of it as he's quite unpredictable.

"I hope he thinks it's a good idea. He's been quite open about his life so I don't see a need to hide anything."

The play will premiere in November at The Academy Theatre in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

McDougall added: "He's a significant figure in the area, hopefully he'll come to see it."

The Bannatyne Group bought a four-star hotel in the town from administrators earlier this year, saving 62 jobs.