Deborah Meaden joined the regular panel of the British television show Dragon's Den in series 3.
Meaden first appeared as a Dragon in the third series, which aired in 2006. She became one of the programme's best-known investors, assessing businesses through questions about turnover, margins, valuation, intellectual property, and the founder's ability to scale the company.
Before joining the television panel, Meaden had built a career in business and investment, including work connected with family entertainment and leisure companies. Her television role introduced that commercial experience to a broad audience, but the programme's on-screen negotiations are not binding until the stated deal completes its due diligence.
Meaden is sometimes mixed up with later female Dragons such as Kelly Hoppen, Sara Davies, and Jenny Campbell. Those investors joined in later periods. Meaden's series-3 arrival makes her part of the show's early expansion beyond its original panel.