Like most 'successful UK businessmen', Duncan Bannatyne appears to be nothing more than a leveraged property play.
There's some interesting court cases playing out at the mo:
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11665226.Director_arrested_in_massive_fraud_probe_at_Bannatyne_s/
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11678359.Second_arrest_in_multi_million_pound_fraud_inquiry_at_Bannatyne_s/
'In another book, Mr Bannatyne talks about having identified Mr Armstrong’s talents and earmarked him for bigger and better things.'