Theo Paphitis was the first Dragon to join the panel after the original five investors.
The launch panel comprised Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh, Simon Woodroffe and Doug Richard. Paphitis joined the programme in the second series, expanding the established line-up and bringing extensive experience in retail and business investment.
Paphitis was already known for his involvement with retail brands including Ryman, Boux Avenue and Robert Dyas. His television profile made him one of the most recognisable later additions to the British panel, but he was not part of the original five shown in series one.
This distinction is easy to confuse because Paphitis became closely associated with the classic Dragons' Den era. Deborah Meaden also became a major long-term Dragon, but she joined later, in series three, rather than being the first post-launch addition.