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Duncan Bannatyne reveals he had to flee his Portuguese mansion due to wildfires

Duncan Bannatyne had to flee the home in Portugal where he lives with his wife. (Getty)
Duncan Bannatyne had to flee the home in Portugal where he lives with his wife. (Getty)

Former Dragons' Den investor Duncan Bannatyne has revealed he had to flee his mansion in the Algarve due to wildfires this week.

Bannatyne lives in the opulent Golden Triangle area of Portugal, which has been hit with wildfires this week amid a deadly heatwave which has seen temperatures predicted to rise as high as 45C.

Read more: Duncan Bannatyne hits back over Karren Brady comments

The 73-year-old businessman shared a video of the raging fire to his Twitter page, describing the situation as a "terrible day" for those in the area.

In a subsequent tweet replying to one of his followers, Bannatyne said that he and others had been "evicted from our homes" in order to flee the flames and smoke.

Watch: Wildfires rage across Europe

He added: "We had to leave our homes today, but luckily very few properties were damaged".

The area of the Algarve where Bannatyne lives is also home to properties owned by former England footballers John Terry and Steven Gerrard, as well as Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Read more: Every "dragon" who has been part of Dragons' Den cast

The Daily Mail reported that around 70 people in the area were asked to evacuate their homes to avoid the fires, with Bannatyne stating that the situation was "scary".

He lives in the Algarve mansion with his third wife Nigora Whitehorn, who he married in 2017.

Duncan Bannatyne married Nigora Whitehorn in 2017. (WireImage)
Duncan Bannatyne married Nigora Whitehorn in 2017. (WireImage)

Bannatyne began his business career with the purchase of an ice cream van, expanding with multiple vans and subsequently founding a chain of nursing homes.

He expanded into fitness shortly afterwards, founding the gargantuan Bannatyne Health Club & Spa chain.

Read more: Duncan Bannatyne says he "broke even" with Dragons' Den investments

In 2005, he was a part of the inaugural panel of investors on BBC business show Dragons' Den, departing the show in 2015 after 12 series.

He has written seven books and has an OBE for his services to charities including Mary's Meals and Action for Children.

Watch: Duncan Bannatyne reveals COVID-19 cost to his businesses