Tributes paid to former Dragons’ Den star Hilary Devey

Tributes have been paid to Hilary Devey.

The 65-year-old former Dragons’ Den star passed away on Saturday after a long illness at her holiday home in Morocco.

Dragons’ Den was launched on BBC Two in 2005 and features budding entrepreneurs pitching their creations and business ideas – some more credible than others – to five millionaire experts in the hope of luring them into parting with their cash and into a business partnership.

Devey joined the business entertainment show in 2011 after making several appearances on Channel 4, notably on their hit series Secret Millionaire.

The self-made millionaire made her fortune launching a pallet freight network, Pall-Ex.

Fellow Dragon Peter Jones paid tribute to Hilary, saying she was an “inspiring woman,”  while the show’s host Evan Davis said she brought a “wonderful grit” to the den, something which audiences loved.

After leaving the Den just a year after joining, Devey went on to host further programmes for Channel 4.

In 2013, she received a CBE for business and contributions to charity. She worked closely with charity Stroke Association after suffering a stroke in 2009.