A Blackburn entrepreneur's confectionery products will hit the shelves of a major supermarket after he landed a life-changing contract on a TV show.

Viewers watched as Yasir Patel appeared on Channel 4's 'Aldi’s Next Big Thing’ - pitching Cluster Club on-the-go snacks.

The entrepreneur was picked from hundreds competing for a life-changing contract to stock their products in Aldi stores nationwide.   

Presented by Anita Rani, the six-part series sees suppliers compete in a range of categories including dinners and baked goods, as well as new category additions: party, world, and confectionery.   

Three judges then taste test the improved products before Julie decides on the winner, whose product will appear as a Specialbuy in more than 1,000 Aldi stores. 
 
The chocolate clusters are made with walnuts, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts and Belgian chocolate.   

The local company came up against beat five other hopefuls to land the contract, including makers of vegan toffee and CBD gummies.

Yasir had admitted the journey had been difficult where he had to balance working for a telecommunications company with his passion for producing the snacks.

Pitching his products, he said he used 50 per cent nuts in the ingredients to make them a healthier snack so you could 'indulge in the chocolate craving but benefit from the nuts'.

In the episode, Yasir was then tasked with improving his packaging format, so it stood out more in stores.

After also learning that he’d lost his usual manufacturer during filming, the father of two returned to Aldi HQ with a bigger pack format and robust new production factory, to secure an order to supply 100,000 packs in more than 1,000 Aldi stores nationwide.  

He said: "The timing was possibly the worst time I could have been told. It has been challenge."

Yasir came out on top after Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK thought his product could be something special.

Yasir said on the show: “I put everything I have into this - money, sweat, time and effort. Landing this contract means I will finally see a return financially I can breathe.

"All the hard work was worth it, I am a supplier for Aldi. How do I even put that into words? I am living a dream.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Products were judged on factors such as price, packaging, shopper demand, and the ability to scale up, before shortlisting contestants down to just two.  

The finalists are then given four weeks to address any feedback, with a follow-up home visit from Anita or Chris, Chris Bavin, of Britain's Best Home Cook and Eat Well for Less who report back their findings to Julie.    

Julie said: “Yas has been on a really challenging journey. He lost his manufacturer but picked himself back up and managed to organise an alternative production site. That’s really impressive, so I want to see this product do well.”    

Yasir said: “My mum used to make chocolate clusters for special occasions, parties, weddings and gifts.

"I've always envisioned having a family-run business and my children one day taking over.

"Having a young family and running a business on the side does get tough but I'm willing to put the work in.”