Dragon's Den panelist ousted for being the 'wrong colour'

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Farleigh, who is the second most generous Dragon's Den investor on the show, which hands out cash to members of the public with innovative business ideas, claimed he was 'bemused' by the BBC's decision, admitting it was wrong if he had been dumped because of his colour.

Richard Farleigh is being bumped from Dragon's Den due to what insiders have labelled 'politically correct' maneuverings

Insiders claimed PC-obsessed programming chiefs at the corporation had removed him so they can introduce a new panelist that was not white.

Farleigh, who admitted he was aware of talk that he had been shunted aside for politically correct reasons, said: "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."

He added: "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."

Farleigh, who was told of the decision 10 days ago, said BBC bosses told him they felt he was not 'into the TV world' enough and was also given the reason for his withdrawal because he did not live in the UK.

Over two series he has invested around £130,000 of his own money. His spokesman claimed Farleigh, who joined the panel in 2006, along with leisure business woman Deborah Meaden, was the country's leading investor in small start-up businesses.

A spokesman for the BBC claimed the new dragon would be chosen purely on the basis of their 'business credentials' and said no contracts had been signed for the new person.

He said it was perfectly normal for the programme to change the make of the Dragon's Den team on the show which is presented by BBC economics correspondent Evan Davies.

The BBC also claimed Farleigh would remain part of the Dragon's Den 'extended family' and would appear in related shows.

Other dragons on the show include Peter Jones, who runs a telecoms and leisure empire, retailer Theo Paphitis and leisure industry tycoon Duncan Bannatyne.