David Chilton, publishing powerhouse and personal finance guru, has announced he’s leaving CBC’s popular reality TV series Dragons’ Den after three seasons on the show. The bestselling author of The Wealthy Barber has decided that he needs more time to focus on the many deals he made, but he nevertheless will continue to make time to speak, delighting audiences with his backstage stories from “The Den,” alongside sharing his personal story of success and his inspiring life and financial health philosophies. David’s current fellow Dragon, Arlene Dickinson, remains in her seat on the investor’s panel. David follows the path of other former Dragons, Bruce Croxon, Kevin O’Leary, and W. Brett Wilson.
“Leaving was truly the toughest business decision I’ve ever made,” said David, “However, with 22 closed deals and all the due-diligence work, I was having trouble finding time for some new opportunities I want to pursue.”
Big shoes to fill
Producers are currently looking for a new businessperson to replace David, who joined the Den in season 7 as a replacement for original dragon Robert Herjavec.
“We were thrilled when David agreed to join CBC Dragons’ Den,” said executive producer Tracie Tighe.
“We’d heard tales of his legendary memory and marvelled at the breadth of his business knowledge. But we were really blown away by his sense of humour and loved that he showed such respect and empathy for every entrepreneur who came into the Den to present their business.”
The award-winning CBC show centres on Canadian entrepreneurs pitching business proposals and ideas to a panel of celebrity venture capitalists, who must then decide whether or not to invest in the projects.
Any prospective replacement for Chilton would also have to hold their own against long-time dragons Jim Treliving and Arlene Dickinson.
A number of investors have come and gone since the show, hosted by CBC broadcaster Dianne Buckner, kicked off in 2006, including:
- Kevin O’Leary, entrepreneur and TV host (season 1 – 8)
- Bruce Croxon, internet mogul (season 6 – 8)
- W. Brett Wilson, investment banker (season 3 – 5)
- Robert Herjavec, IT entrepreneur, (season 1 – 6)
- Jennifer Wood, beef industry executive (season 1)
- Laurence Lewin, La Senza co-founder (season 1 – 2)