Which Dragon's Den investor joined the British panel in 2006, replacing Rachel Elnaugh?

Deborah Meaden joined the British Dragon's Den panel in 2006, replacing Rachel Elnaugh.

Meaden became a Dragon during the programme's second series. She was already known as a businesswoman and investor, with experience in family businesses, leisure companies and hospitality. Her arrival followed Elnaugh's departure from the regular panel after the first series.

She became one of the show's most recognisable investors and remained associated with the programme for many years. Meaden is particularly known for concise questioning about sales, margins, valuation and ownership, the figures that determine whether a proposed investment is commercially attractive.

The date can be confused with later arrivals such as Kelly Hoppen, who joined in 2013, or Sara Davies, who joined in 2019. Meaden's role also differs from her later appearances in other television programmes: this question concerns her joining the UK Dragon's Den investor panel.