THE founder of a rum company is to appear on a popular BBC show tomorrow night.

Paul Stanley, from Haywards Heath, will be trying to find investment for his Cloven Hoof spiced rum on BBC2’s Dragons’ Den.

The 43-year-old created the drink in 2017 after becoming disillusioned with the variety of rums on the market.

It was launched at Dead Wax Social, in Bond Street, Brighton.

Paul has been amazed by how popular it has proved since then.

He said: “I was pretty surprised by how big it initially grew and has continued to grow.

“I thought it would be a very Brighton centric drink.

“Now it is in about 30 pubs, clubs and bars in Brighton and even more across the country – mainly independent establishments.”

Unlike many Dragons’ Den contestants, who go through a rigorous application process, Paul was headhunted for the show.

He said: “One of the Dragons’ Den researchers stumbled upon it in a bar in East London and convinced the producer to get me on the show. Within a couple of days I was in Manchester filming.

“It was quite a challenge, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

“You really put yourself in the spotlight.

“The pitch is three minutes and then they ask you questions for a while after.

“I was in the room with them for about an hour and a half altogether.”

Paul shares his name with one of the founding members of rock band Kiss.

He loves of metal music and initially marketed his rum to rock bars.

He thought this would be his key market.

Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell even hailed it as the best rum he’s ever had.

But Paul has been surprised that other markets seem to have an interest in it.

Cloven Hoof is a dark spiced rum which is infused with bold flavours.

Paul said: “It is not your average, neutral, wishy-washy, vanilla spiced rum.

“It’s a bit like Marmite you will either love it or hate it.”

Paul’s appearance tomorrow is on the first episode of the show’s 16th series.

It airs at 8pm, and Paul has promised something special to kick off his presentation.