Top inventor hits out at 'Dragons' Den'

Inventor Trevor Baylis has criticised the producers of Dragons' Den, claiming that the programme humiliates its participants.

The 72-year-old, who came up with the clockwork radio in 1989, has called on Duncan Bannatyne and his fellow panellists to show more consideration towards hopefuls in future.

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."

Dragons' Den, which launched on BBC Two in 2005, sees budding entrepreneurs sharing their business ideas with Bannatyne and four other judges in the hope of securing investment in their projects.

Baylis earned an OBE in 1997 after his clockwork radio was credited for transforming the lives of people in the Third World.