Deborah Meaden joined the British Dragons' Den panel in series 3 and became its longest-serving female Dragon.
Meaden first appeared as an investor in 2006, after building a career in business and investment. Her direct questioning and attention to ownership percentages made her one of the programme's most recognisable panel members.
Before joining the show, she had experience in the leisure and hospitality sector, including involvement with family businesses and holiday parks. Her television role added a public-investor profile to an already established commercial career.
She is sometimes confused with later female investors such as Kelly Hoppen or Sara Davies. Those investors joined the programme at different times, whereas Meaden became a long-standing presence after entering during series 3.