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| Inventor proves TV Dragons wrong | Inventor proves TV Dragons wrong |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A device to stop tables wobbling which was derided on television's Dragons' Den programme has sold nearly 500,000 units, its inventor has said. | |
| Andrew Gordon, a 31-year-old marketing manager from Surrey, appeared on the BBC Two show but was told his idea was "really, really bad" and "stupid". | Andrew Gordon, a 31-year-old marketing manager from Surrey, appeared on the BBC Two show but was told his idea was "really, really bad" and "stupid". |
| But Mr Gordon has now secured a 200,000-unit order and hopes to have his STABLEtables in supermarkets too. | But Mr Gordon has now secured a 200,000-unit order and hopes to have his STABLEtables in supermarkets too. |
| Mr Gordon said even Kensington Palace had placed an order for the product. | Mr Gordon said even Kensington Palace had placed an order for the product. |
| The Exam Officers Association had placed the large order, he said, adding that he was speaking to major stores such as Tesco and B&Q. | |
| Even though Andrew didn't get the investment he was looking for from the dragons, two and a half years on he's still getting recognition linked to his appearance on the series so we hope he doesn't feel it was a completely wasted trip. Helen Bullough, Dragon's Den Executive Editor | Even though Andrew didn't get the investment he was looking for from the dragons, two and a half years on he's still getting recognition linked to his appearance on the series so we hope he doesn't feel it was a completely wasted trip. Helen Bullough, Dragon's Den Executive Editor |
| Mr Gordon, originally from Scotland, had the idea after a night out involving five pints of Guinness. | Mr Gordon, originally from Scotland, had the idea after a night out involving five pints of Guinness. |
| He said: "The table in the pub was wobbly and someone suggested moving to a stable table. | He said: "The table in the pub was wobbly and someone suggested moving to a stable table. |
| "The next morning, with a hangover, I started cutting up a cornflakes packet." | "The next morning, with a hangover, I started cutting up a cornflakes packet." |
| However, Mr Gordon played down the criticism he received on the show during his appearance in 2005. | However, Mr Gordon played down the criticism he received on the show during his appearance in 2005. |
| He added: "It is not even good to have proved them wrong, it's just quite satisfying that it's kicked off." | He added: "It is not even good to have proved them wrong, it's just quite satisfying that it's kicked off." |
| During the show, in which people bid to get investment from a panel of leading entrepreneurs, former 'dragon' Rachel Elnaugh said Mr Gordon's idea was "the most utterly ridiculous business idea". | During the show, in which people bid to get investment from a panel of leading entrepreneurs, former 'dragon' Rachel Elnaugh said Mr Gordon's idea was "the most utterly ridiculous business idea". |
| Positive response | Positive response |
| Meanwhile, fellow former 'dragon' Doug Richard said the product was a "really, really, really bad idea". | Meanwhile, fellow former 'dragon' Doug Richard said the product was a "really, really, really bad idea". |
| However, their colleague Peter Jones said it was not "that bad an idea", but still chose not to invest. | However, their colleague Peter Jones said it was not "that bad an idea", but still chose not to invest. |
| A BBC spokeswoman said: "Our dragons make their own business decisions. Even though they didn't back Andrew, it is great he has stuck to his conviction about this product." | A BBC spokeswoman said: "Our dragons make their own business decisions. Even though they didn't back Andrew, it is great he has stuck to his conviction about this product." |
| Meanwhile Ian Haworth, a spokesman for Ms Elnaugh, said: "She wishes him all the best." | Meanwhile Ian Haworth, a spokesman for Ms Elnaugh, said: "She wishes him all the best." |
| Mr Richard said: "I have got to say he has proved me wrong because I did not think he would get to that level." | |
| However, Mr Richard said it was a lifetsyle business but reaffirmed that it was not the kind of investment which he would have wanted. | |
| He added: "It is great, good on him." | |
| A STABLEtable has eight thin plastic strips which swivel out to the thickness required to stop a table wobbling. | A STABLEtable has eight thin plastic strips which swivel out to the thickness required to stop a table wobbling. |
| Helen Bullough, executive editor, commented: "Even though Andrew didn't get the investment he was looking for from the dragons, two-and-a-half years on he's still getting recognition linked to his appearance on the series so we hope he doesn't feel it was a completely wasted trip. | Helen Bullough, executive editor, commented: "Even though Andrew didn't get the investment he was looking for from the dragons, two-and-a-half years on he's still getting recognition linked to his appearance on the series so we hope he doesn't feel it was a completely wasted trip. |
| "And, of course, as with all our entrepreneurs, we wish him continued good luck with his business." | "And, of course, as with all our entrepreneurs, we wish him continued good luck with his business." |