AN APPEARANCE on television show Dragons’ Den has helped one Weston father get his business idea up and running.

Former world kickboxing champion Stuart Davies appeared on the popular BBC programme to ask for investment for a martial arts tournament, and although the dragons did not make an investment it did help him to get backing for the idea.

Following his appearance in front of the five businessmen on the show an investor has offered to stump up �50,000 to get the Fight Factor tournament going and he has won sponsorship from a leading national brand.

A total of 40,000 people applied to take part in the programme, but 42-year-old Mr Davies was one of only 90 applicants to make the cut. He initially travelled to London in March for the programme’s production company to check out his idea for a talent competition for martial artists and fighters from across the country.

He then travelled to Manchester in June for filming, and far from being grilled by the legendarily demanding dragons, received a warm welcome with his presentation, which featured a Muaythai boxing demonstration with world number one Julie Kitchen.

The father of three even drew a laugh from Deborah Meaden when he said he would give her fight coaching.

He said: “The dragons were very complimentary about the idea. There was no negativity and I think that’s why it was cut a bit for the programme, because it didn’t make good TV.”

Despite the dragons’ positive words, all five declined to make an offer as they felt they did not have enough experience in the martial arts world.

He added: “It was a nerve-wracking but rewarding experience which gave me a lot of confidence about the idea itself.”

But Mr Davies, who owns Sweat Fitness Academy in Weston, has now got a �50,000 investment for 10 per cent of the business, while he has also landed sponsorship from boxing and clothing brand Lonsdale.

He added that the tournament would be rolled out from January, saying that it would take place in eight venues across the country.