
After opening up about his autism and the hurdles he’s overcome in his life, a Dragons’ Den contestant surprised the investors with his amazing pitch and product.
Big Clothing 4 You was pitched by Ben Pearson to Dragons Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Steven Bartlett, Touker Suleyman, and Sara Davies.
‘Having autism, it takes a lot of guts to be here, but I’d like to inspire others and show them where there is a will, there is a way, and we should not be held back from these slightly different ways of thinking,’ Ben began, ahead of his pitch.
Ben detailed his life hardships as he walked into the Den, his sights set on Touker for an investment.
‘From a young age, I was diagnosed with autism and several other disabilities,’ Ben began. ‘I spent the majority of my life in social care, young offenders institutions and homeless.
‘I became nearly 30 stone from having mental health issues but I took a lot of counselling and overcame these barriers.’

Despite conquering those obstacles, Ben revealed that the one thing he couldn’t get past was finding clothing that fit him, which is how he started his business, and along the way, he met Katie Price‘s son Harvey and enlisted him as an ambassador.
‘I’m really inspired by your journey,’ Steven commented, as the other Dragons echoed their praise, with Deborah calling Ben ‘brilliant’.
‘You’re one of the best pitches I’ve seen in the Den,’ Steven added.

However, after admiring Ben and his business, Peter, Sara and Deborah all stated the two words no candidate wants to hear: ‘I’m out’.
Steven quickly followed suit, stating that he was not ‘enthusiastic’ about this side of the profession.
‘If you don’t make an offer for this one Touker I don’t know what you’re going to make an offer for,’ Steven added, telling his co-star: ‘It’s got your name written all over it.’
And he was correct, with Touker making an offer that Ben gladly accepted.
He went on to say: ‘If anybody else out there has autism, what I would say, especially if they are young, is never give up, don’t let anybody stand in your way.’
Dragons’ Den continues on Thursday at 8pm on BBC One.