A sculptor is laughing all the way to the bank after scooping £80,000 on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den - £10,000 more than he wanted.

Grandfather-of-three Guy Portelli, was given the money for a 25 per cent share in his series of metal sculptures Pop Icons; 18 figures of musicians including Jimi Hendrix, Madonna, John Lennon and Bob Marley.

He joins a very small handful of entrepreneurs to leave the den with more than they bargained for.

The deal means the sculptures can go on show at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London next year - which until now was just a distant dream for the former Hugh Christie school pupil. A run of 10 of each of the sculptures will be produced for sale.

Mr Portelli, who had been pitching for just £70,000, accepted the joint bid after tense negotiations with Theo Paphitis, Peter Jones, and James Caan. He turned down a £90,000 offer from Duncan Bannatyne.

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