Which dragon joined the UK Dragons' Den panel in 2006?

Deborah Meaden joined the UK Dragons' Den panel in 2006.

Meaden first appeared as a dragon in the third series of the BBC programme, joining the investor panel after the show had already launched. She became known for direct questioning about sales, margins, valuation and the practical route to growth.

Before and alongside her television career, Meaden built experience in business and investment, including work connected with family enterprises and leisure businesses. Her Dragons' Den persona is associated with assessing whether a product has a scalable market and whether an entrepreneur understands the numbers behind the pitch.

The year can be confused with the arrival dates of later female investors. Kelly Hoppen joined much later, while Sara Davies and Jenny Campbell were also later additions. The question specifically identifies the dragon who joined in 2006, not the first woman ever to appear on the programme or the longest-serving investor.