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Inventor proves TV Dragons wrong

Inventor proves Dragons Wrong with a device to stop tables wobbling which has sold nearly 500,000 units!

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".

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.

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

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."

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."

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

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.

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."

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.

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."