When Andrew Gordon unveiled his invention for propping up wobbly table legs, the panel of business experts on Dragons’ Den dismissed it with howls of laughter.

The plastic device, which can be adjusted according to the extent of wobble, was branded “the most ridiculous idea” ever seen on the BBC Two programme. One expert even sneered: “What are beer mats for?”

But Mr Gordon, 31, is having the last laugh: his bright idea is well on the way to making him his first £1million.

Sales of the STABLEtable have soared to more than £500,000 and his client list now includes Kensington Palace. He won an order this month from the Exam Officers’ Association for 200,000 STABLEtables and has started to attract orders from overseas, including more than 10,000 for Australia. He is even negotiating with Tesco, Ikea and B&Q to get the device in their stores.

Mr Gordon, originally from Linlithgow, Scotland, and now living in Camberley, Surrey, said: “I came up with the idea over a few pints of Guinness with a friend when we saw tables propped up with napkins. I started getting bits of cardboard from cereal packets and seeing which shapes and thicknesses worked best. I then got a company in China to manufacture them.

“But after the show it really took off and I had about a million hits on the website. It’s amazing. Even Kensington Palace bought some for their tea-rooms.”

Rachel Elnaugh, the Red Letter Days founder who was a panellist on the show two years ago, called the STABLEtable the most ridiculous idea she had heard of. Her company later went bust.

“They absolutely ripped me to shreds,” said Mr Gordon, who has spent nothing on advertising. “It is quite remarkable to see how it has taken off so quickly. It’s all just word of mouth. I’m pleased I have proved the dragons wrong.”

A spokesman for BBC Two said: “Our dragons make their own business decisions. Even though they didn’t back Andrew, it is great he has stuck to his conviction about this product. Hopefully, this will encourage other inventors and entrepreneurs.”

The STABLEtable, a simple design with eight plastic leaves pinned together, retails online for £1. Visitors to Mr Gordon’s website discover that his invention aims to make “wobbly items a thing of the past”.

They are told: “Whether it’s a desk, dining table, washing machine, bookcase or garden furniture, STABLEtable is a unique and effective solution for all wobbly items.” Dragons’ Den has become a hit in Britain after its format was developed in Japan. Would-be entrepreneurs pitch for an investment from a panel of successful businesspeople, who often tear into the proposals.

However, if any of the panellists like the inventor’s idea they can offer to invest in it in return for a share of the business.

A crumb of comfort to all budding inventors: the panel may be worth a combined total of more than £600 million, but none of them thought it was possible to make a wedge from Mr Gordon’s wedge.

The 2005 panel

–– Theo Paphitis, 46. He specialises in turning round struggling firms. Bought the lingerie company La Senza for £1, sold it for £100m

–– Peter Jones, 40. Founded telecoms firm Phones International. He has 20 different businesses

–– Rachel Elnaugh, 42. Founded Red Letter Days, vouchers for experiences — from tank-driving to wine tours. It went bust in 2005

–– Duncan Bannatyne, 57. Has owned a string of firms including nursing homes, fitness centres, a casino and a hotel

–– Doug Richard, 48. Has founded various software and tech companies, including Library House and Hotxt. First American to receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise

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