Deborah Meaden first appeared as a regular dragon on Dragons' Den in 2006.
Meaden is an English businesswoman and investor who joined the programme after building experience in leisure, retail and hospitality businesses. Her direct questioning and focus on commercial fundamentals made her one of the show's most recognisable investors.
Before joining the panel, she had been involved with family businesses and developed a substantial interest in leisure operations. Her career gave her experience assessing brands, customer demand, costs and the practical work needed to expand a company.
The year is sometimes confused with the date of her best-known acquisitions or with the arrival of other female investors. Meaden joined after the programme's 2005 launch, so she was not part of the original five-dragon line-up.