There is little surprise then that it didn't take long for politicians to want a slice of the action. Famously Sir Alan Sugar of The Apprentice fame received a Labour peerage in order to be become Lord Sugar, the previous governments Business tsar. The coalition have shied away from such political stunts but have been quick to surround themselves with industry influencers with Business Secretary Vince Cable forming an entrepreneurs forum of leading UK business minds to help inform and guide rather than lead government policy.

At a time when the Conservative/ Liberal Democrat Coalition have placed enterprise at the top of the national agenda there remains disagreement as to how best to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs. Whilst the thought of business leaders playing an active role in politics is widely panned there is a broader debate between successful entrepreneurs about the merits of reality TV and whether TV shows created predominantly for entertainment purposes helps or hinders enterprise education and engagement.

The 'Impact of Media on Entrepreneurial Intentions and Actions' report published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) found that one in five non-entrepreneurs were motivated to start their own business as a result of the increased TV exposure of entrepreneurs. Speaking after the publication of the report Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said:

"The media has such an important role to play in creating a positive image around entrepreneurship and starting your own business. It is very encouraging to see such a dramatic shift in recent years. And I hope this trend continues."

"The Government is focused relentlessly on supporting growth across our economy. Backing and encouraging new enterprises to start up, and small businesses to grow, will deliver new jobs and transform our economy."

"We need to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, showing them the ambitions they can realise in business. The media can play a crucial role in this."

One critic of the role of TV is former Pizza Express and Channel 4 Television Chairman Luke Johnson who is also a noted private equity investor. Johnson has been stinging of his criticism of shows like the Dragons' Den accusing the BBC of portraying "that business is ruthless, domineering and egotistical," branding it a farce, a cartoon, and ludicrous, "when Dragons' Den was first shown in Britain, there was a degree of novelty and even a modest element of authenticity about it."

There is little doubt that the Dragons' Den is largely an entertainment programme and that it has become something of a caricature of itself but the question for debate is whether this portrayal of entrepreneurship and investment is a help or a hindrance.

On the one-hand it is clear to almost anyone who has been involved in a real investment pitches that that it does not reflect the real investment process. Rarely if ever are you likely to see a husband and wife team standing before a panel of leading investors with their crazy idea for see-through welly's and eye-catching socks. Equally as rare will be to see entrepreneurs willing to give up stakes of up to 30% or 40% of their business in exchange for relatively small sums of investment.

The greatest criticism however is reserved for the manner in which shows like the Apprentice and Dragons' Den portray and dismiss novice ideas and inexperienced participants and last nights episode of the Dragon's Den was no different with often abrupt put downs of under-prepared entrepreneurs. New Dragon Hilary Devey, although remarkably frank and honest in both equal measure appears to be the latest  judge to be type cast as the caricature villain ala an early SImon Cowell. The more sinister tone given to this series along with Devey's unusual appearance and gruff voice seemingly was too much for many viewers who compared her performance to that on Angelic Houston in the Roald Dahl movie 'The Witches'.

There is no doubting business can be a tough world but should TV programmes serve as a 'wake up' to the world of business or to guide would-be entrepreneurs away from flawed ideas and towards business success?

If reality TV is increasingly becoming about the entertainment as opposed to the realism what if any benefit can it be said to have? The findings of the BIS report show that around half of non-entrepreneurs thought more positively about entrepreneurs in general (58 per cent) and were made more aware of a career as an entrepreneur (51 per cent) through the media. Perhaps slightly worryingly (if you question the educational benefit of such shows) two-fifths of respondents also found an educational role being played by media portrayals and that they had learned practical steps to start a new business.

With the general public seeing reality shows as a source of inspiration and education, what then for the participants who volunteer to have their ideas and dreams scrutinised in front of an increasingly entertainment driven show? Stuart Jolley, is one of the UK's most exciting new young entrepreneurs, who has entered the highly competitive male grooming market with "Wingman" - a brand of men's grooming products and appeared recently in BBC 2's 'Britain's Next Big Thing' series, fronted by Dragon's Den star, Theo Paphitis. 

For Stuart the experience was a fantastic opportunity to bring his exciting new products to wider public attention and he wasn't deterred from opening himself and his fledgling business to scrutiny, "believe in your product and your brand 100%. When you speak to businessmen and investors, they must have the same belief and catch the energy that you put out there. You have got to wear your brand on your sleeve. If you don't believe in you, why should the public believe and back you."

For some participants like Levi Roots or Tim Campbell it is a gateway to success, bringing their talents and products to public attention and acclaim. For the majority however the shows provide an exceptional experience and opportunity although most end with a harsh lesson in the reality of entertainment driven TV.