In Dragons' Den, what was the name of the first female Dragon to appear on the UK panel?

Rachel Elnaugh was the first female Dragon to appear on the UK panel of Dragons' Den.

Elnaugh joined the original British panel when the BBC series launched in 2005. She was known for founding Red Letter Days, a company selling experience gifts such as driving, leisure and entertainment packages.

Her participation made her one of the programme's original investors alongside figures including Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne and Simon Woodroffe. She left the regular panel after the early series, while Deborah Meaden later became the better-known long-term female Dragon.

The distinction matters because several women have appeared as Dragons over the history of the British programme. Deborah Meaden was not the first: she joined in the third series. Rachel Elnaugh's status relates to her appearance on the original UK panel at the programme's launch.