Which entrepreneur joined the UK version of Dragon's Den as a Dragon in 2006?

Deborah Meaden joined the UK version of Dragon's Den as a Dragon in 2006.

Meaden replaced Rachel Elnaugh, who had been one of the show's original investors. Her arrival added another highly experienced business operator to the panel, alongside investors including Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne and Theo Paphitis.

Meaden built her reputation through family businesses and investments in leisure, retail and hospitality. She is known on the programme for examining ownership percentages, valuation and the practical route to scaling a company.

Her tenure is sometimes confused with the dates of other Dragons' arrivals. Sara Davies joined much later, in 2019, while Steven Bartlett joined in 2022. Meaden's 2006 debut therefore places her among the show's longest-serving modern Dragons.