Which Dragon's Den investor was the first woman to join the British programme's panel?

Rachel Elnaugh was the first woman to join the British Dragon's Den panel.

Elnaugh appeared as one of the original Dragons when the British version launched in 2005. Her presence made her the programme's first female investor, alongside the original male panel members.

She was already known as the founder of Red Letter Days, an experience-gift company established in 1989. Her tenure on the programme connected her television profile with her experience in retail, marketing and consumer services.

Deborah Meaden is sometimes given this distinction because she became the best-known long-serving female Dragon. However, Meaden joined in 2006, after Elnaugh had already appeared on the original panel. Kelly Hoppen and Sara Davies joined later still.