Deborah Meaden joined the Dragon's Den investor panel in 2006.
Meaden had already developed a substantial business career before appearing on television. She became known for investments in consumer, leisure and retail businesses, and her direct negotiating style made her one of the programme's most recognisable Dragons.
Her arrival came after the show's initial run and expanded the panel's mix of business experience. Viewers sometimes confuse her joining date with the programme's launch year or with the years when other Dragons entered. The distinction matters because Dragon's Den began in 2005, while Meaden became an investor the following year.