26487830Dragon's Den's viewers and the five investors have been left in awe after a man who pitched the idea of a handheld hoover attachment explained his tragic backstory.
Alan Gillet from Kent is the inventor of the XtraHand, "an unrivaled and handsfree dust extraction attachment for vacuums. It effectively removes all of the dust and debris when drilling, cutting and grinding", and after pitching his idea to Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Sara Davies, Steven Bartlett and Touker Suleyman - from whom he wanted a £40,000 investment for a 10% stake in the company - it wasn't just the invention that had the dragon's admiring the entrepreneur, but the story behind his product which he invented 17 years ago, in 2006.
Telling the dragons, on Thursday evening's episode (which aired on BBC One at 8pm on March, 16), Alan said: "2006 I invented it. I left it in the cupboard until my mum got cancer and I had to stop work because I was looking after her. My mum unfortunately passed. It took me a while to recover from that. But then my wife and I went 'right, we're going to do this'. And we picked it up again."
But the heartbreak didn't stop there for Alan, as shortly after his mum died, his wife was diagnosed with the same disease. Clearly emotional but keeping himself composed, he continued: "Eleven weeks later she died and it's taken me a couple of years to get to the point where I can... I was able to do it for myself. "
He went on to explain the success of his product now comes after his partner and him launched the business once more last February, explaining how it has "flown" ever since. Viewers watching took to social media, pleading for one of the dragon's to make an investment in his company and admiring his perseverance and strength after what he went through.
@damo_war wrote: "That's quite a journey to pick yourself up from. Twice. #DragonsDen"
While another, @JimmyFunky commented: "Please give Alan all the money #DragonsDen" alongside @BevMaccas who said: "Alan!!! The nation is with you!! #DragonsDen".
Users @JimBlower and @Tami_Mix added: "Alan so deserves this investment." and "Alan with a horrendous back story. What an inspiration that he is in the Den tonight."
This emotive backstory touched the dragons, with Peter Jones offering his "deepest sympathies for what's happened. Admirable that you're still staying strong", alongside saying how the product is "really clever" and does what it says on the tin.
Despite Peter's compliments, Deborah ,Sara and Steven were apprehensive about the products competition in the market currently, despite being the most effective. And as a result, they did not make him an offer.
Claiming he could get the product in the market "very easily", Peter Jones quickly made Alan an offer. He was followed by Touker (whom earlier in the show, Alan said was his favourite dragon because of his shirts) who both made Alan an offer for the full amount - although instead of 10%, they offered 25%.
But in the end, it was victory for Peter - who said Alan really did "deserve a break" - who's offer was graciously accepted by a chuffed and emotional Alan.
After his newest investment left the room, Peter mused that it was those sorts of stories and investments that make him "reflect why you sit in this chair." He added: "When you meet somebody that needs a break and [you] have a great opportunity to make a return on your investment."
Dragons Den is on BBC One on Thursdays at 8pm.
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