TV
Richard Farleigh, a panellist on Dragons' Den, has been dropped from the show.
The businessman, who has put around £130,000 into ventures over two series, said he was "disappointed and bemused" with the decision. Bosses told him he was now "into the TV world" enough.
The Daily Mail says insiders had suggested he was dropped in favour of getting more dragons from ethnic minorities.
Farleigh commented: "It would be disappointing if that was the reason - rather than anything fundamental - if it was because I was the wrong colour.
"I don't know why this has happened and I am very disappointed and bemused - I wasn't expecting it because all the feedback I got was very positive.
"I had even moved back to the UK to focus on commitments for the show. I am gutted that I have not been invited back."
A BBC spokesman said the new dragon would be chosen by their "business credentials" and not ethnicity. He said it was normal that the show sometimes changed its team.
The businessman, who has put around £130,000 into ventures over two series, said he was "disappointed and bemused" with the decision. Bosses told him he was now "into the TV world" enough.
The Daily Mail says insiders had suggested he was dropped in favour of getting more dragons from ethnic minorities.
Farleigh commented: "It would be disappointing if that was the reason - rather than anything fundamental - if it was because I was the wrong colour.
"I don't know why this has happened and I am very disappointed and bemused - I wasn't expecting it because all the feedback I got was very positive.
"I had even moved back to the UK to focus on commitments for the show. I am gutted that I have not been invited back."
A BBC spokesman said the new dragon would be chosen by their "business credentials" and not ethnicity. He said it was normal that the show sometimes changed its team.
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