Peter Jones has been the only original investor to remain on the UK show Dragon's Den since its 2005 launch.
Jones joined the programme when the BBC introduced the British version and became one of its most recognisable investors. His business interests have included telecommunications, technology, retail, leisure, and media, giving him a broad range of experience for evaluating pitches.
The original panel changed over time. Duncan Bannatyne and Theo Paphitis were among the launch-era Dragons, while Richard Farleigh appeared in the early years. Their departures meant Jones became the sole surviving member of the initial investor line-up.
Being an original Dragon does not mean Jones invested in every early success. On the programme, each investor decides independently whether a valuation, product, market, and proposed shareholding justify a deal. A televised agreement can also fail to complete after due diligence, a detail that viewers sometimes overlook.