Which entrepreneur replaced Rachel Elnaugh as a regular dragon on Dragon's Den?

Deborah Meaden replaced Rachel Elnaugh as a regular dragon on Dragon's Den.

Meaden joined the British programme after Elnaugh's departure and became one of its longest-serving and most recognisable investors. She brought experience from family entertainment businesses and later became associated with direct, commercially focused questioning during pitches.

The change took place early in the show's history, so the two investors are often linked in accounts of the original panel. Elnaugh belonged to the first lineup, while Meaden became the continuing female presence viewers came to associate with later series.

Meaden's television role followed a business career rather than creating her reputation from the show alone. Her investments and on-screen negotiations made her a prominent public figure, but her arrival should not be mistaken for the programme's original launch lineup.