In the BBC series Dragons' Den, which investor joined the panel in series 3?

Deborah Meaden joined the investor panel of the BBC series Dragons' Den in series 3.

Meaden became one of the programme's best-known dragons after replacing an earlier investor. Her background was in business and entrepreneurship, including work in leisure and tourism. On the show, she became associated with direct questioning, attention to margins, and a willingness to challenge entrepreneurs about how their companies could grow.

A common mix-up is to place Meaden in the original 2005 panel. The first series featured Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh, Simon Woodroffe and Doug Richard. Meaden arrived later, during the third series, and then became a long-running member of the British panel.

Her tenure also makes her distinct from later investors such as Kelly Hoppen and Sara Davies. Panel membership changed repeatedly over the years, so the series number is an important part of this fact.