Theo Paphitis was the first investor to join the UK television series Dragon's Den after its original 2005 panel.
Paphitis joined the programme for its second series in 2006. He was already known as a retail entrepreneur, with business interests that included the lingerie retailer La Senza and the stationery retailer Ryman. His commercial background shaped the practical, retail-focused style he brought to the investment panel.
The timing matters because Deborah Meaden also became a Dragon in 2006, but Paphitis joined the second series before Meaden became a regular investor in the programme. Paphitis remained on the panel until 2010. He is also associated with the later purchase of Red Letter Days, the company founded by former Dragon Rachel Elnaugh.