In the British TV show Dragon's Den, who was the first female dragon?

Rachel Elnaugh was the first female dragon on the British television show Dragon's Den.

Elnaugh appeared on the original panel when the programme began in 2005. She was known for building Red Letter Days, a company selling experience gifts such as driving, leisure and entertainment packages. Her experience as an entrepreneur gave the opening panel a female perspective on the risks and opportunities in young businesses.

Elnaugh left the programme after its first series. Deborah Meaden subsequently became a regular dragon and is often the name most closely associated with the show's female investors, which can lead viewers to overlook Elnaugh's earlier role.

The distinction matters because the question concerns the first female panel member, not the longest-serving woman or the most frequent female dragon. Later investors including Meaden, Kelly Hoppen and Sara Davies expanded the programme's representation of women in business.