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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Alan Weston & Stephanie Colderick

BBC Dragons' Den star, 36, found dead a year after winning £50k investment on TV show

A successful businessman, who struck a major deal on the BBC show Dragons' Den, has died suddenly at the age of 36. In 2021, Drew Cockton managed to succeed in getting a £50,000 investment from Dragon Touker Suleyman. He was the owner of the vegan fragrance brand Owen Drew.

Drew, from Wirral, was also an LGBTQ campaigner and on Friday, October 21 he held the second North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards, which he founded, at Liverpool's Titanic Hotel.

His mum Kate confirmed the news of his death on Sunday, October 23 in a Facebook post, saying: "We are truly, utterly heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved Drew Peter George Cockton (my gorgeous boy) died peacefully at home yesterday. We are devastated beyond belief. Life is never, ever going to be the same again. Rest Peacefully darling boy."

READ MORE: BBC Dragons' Den: Peter Jones calls Welsh entrepreneur 'inspirational' for turning life around

Drew's partner Ryan Gunn simply posted a picture of the couple on his Facebook page, with dozens of people offering their sympathies and paying tribute on the thread below as the Liverpool Echo reports. Drew succeeded on Dragons' Den when he detailed his previous mental health issues, and explained why these were the driving force behind the creation of his business - and why the concept of wellness was so important to him.

His business, Owen Drew, is based in Birkenhead and sells natural soy wax candles, soy wax melts and luxurious room mists, with all the products made entirely by hand. Drew started the business six years ago from his kitchen table and began selling the candles on social media.

In 2021 Drew created the North West LGBTQ+ Business Awards, with the aim of highlighting the enormous contribution the LGBTQ+ community makes to the North West economy.

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