SARA Davies has broken her silence after announcing her shock Dragon’s Den exit.
Entrepreneur Sara, 40, devastated fans this week after revealing she won’t take part in the BBC show’s upcoming series.
Appearing on this evening’s installment of The One Show, the former Strictly star revealed her reason for stepping away, confessing she had struggled to ‘juggle’ her busy career.
Host Alex Jones started by saying, “Now then, Sarah, last week, sad news that you’re leaving the den. I know. That must be a very hard decision because I know how much you love it.”
Sara responded, “It’s who I am. It’s part of my DNA. It’s my life. It’s everything.
“And I’m not going to lie, it was not the easiest decision to make but just trying to juggle everything. You know, when they asked me, I thought, ‘Oh yeah, people do it for a couple of years.'”
She explained how she initially signed on for a short time, saying, “And then they asked us back the third year and then they asked us back the fourth year, and then I just kept doing it.
“And I thought, ‘Do you know what, it’s because Dragon’s is an iceberg.’ You see the little bit of time we’re filming, but all of these businesses that you commit to, I want to give them a piece of me.
“And there’s just not quite enough pieces of me to keep going round. You know, something you have to give at some point.”
Alex responded, “Well, you will be missed. And you’ve had some guest Dragons, which I’ve loved watching. Oh, anybody you think could do it long term?”
Sara thought for a moment before saying, “Do you know, I loved it when Gary was in last year, Gary Neville, and I feel like he really had that, he had the empathy and the warmth that I think I bring to the den.”
The TV presenter, author and businesswoman joined Dragon’s Den in 2019.
At the time she was 35, making her the show’s youngest female Dragon.
She joined following the departure of Jenny Campbell.
Sara wrote on Instagram: “As this last run of Dragons’ comes to an end I have to say I’ve loved every minute of this series so far and I’m so proud of the businesses I’ve invested in this year!
“As a lot of you will know, I’ve taken up my position again as CEO of Crafter’s Companion and my business is my big priority this year.
“And when I commit to a business, I really commit, which is why I find Dragons’ Den such a rewarding role.
“As well as filming an incredible show, being a Dragon requires so much dedication and time behind the scenes as you join the life of each business you invest in.
“It means seeing through your investment and committing to your part in that organisation. It’s so much more than a TV show.
“That’s why I’ve taken the decision to step away from the Den for now, to focus on my own business, which was my first baby!
“So I won’t be filming with the team this year for the next series.”
Sara, from County Durham will continue to be seen on episodes to be shown later this year.
