Deborah Meaden joined the Dragon's Den panel in the third series, first appearing in 2006.
Meaden is an English businesswoman and investor who became one of the programme's most prominent Dragons. Before joining the television panel, she had built experience in leisure and holiday businesses, including work connected with family resorts and holiday parks.
Her arrival followed the departure of original Dragon Simon Woodroffe and helped establish the changing-panel structure that became characteristic of the programme. Meaden is known for focusing closely on a pitch's numbers, ownership percentage and the entrepreneur's understanding of the business.
Deborah Meaden is sometimes mistakenly described as an original Dragon because she has appeared for so many years. The original panel belonged to the first series in 2005; Meaden joined for series three, beginning her long association with the BBC programme in 2006.