Which Dragon’s Den investor was the first female Dragon on the UK show?

Rachel Elnaugh was the first female Dragon on the UK version of Dragon’s Den.

Elnaugh joined the original investor panel when the BBC adaptation began in 2005. She was known for founding Red Letter Days, a company selling experience gifts such as driving days, spa visits and other leisure activities. Her position on the panel made her one of the programme’s earliest high-profile female investors.

The original UK Dragons included Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Doug Richard, Simon Woodroffe and Elnaugh. Later series introduced other prominent female investors, including Deborah Meaden, Kelly Hoppen and Sara Davies, which can make the historical order easy to confuse.

Elnaugh’s business later encountered financial difficulties, and Red Letter Days went into administration in 2005. Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis subsequently acquired the company’s assets. That business history is separate from Elnaugh’s distinction as the show’s first female Dragon.