Deborah Meaden joined the BBC programme Dragon's Den in series 3, replacing Rachel Elnaugh.
Meaden is an English businesswoman and investor who became one of the programme's best-known Dragons. She entered the panel during the third series, following the departure of Rachel Elnaugh, one of the original investors. Her investment interests have included consumer businesses, leisure and retail ventures.
The series number matters because Meaden was not part of the launch panel. The original British Dragons were Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh, Theo Paphitis and Doug Richard. Several other investors joined later, so identifying a Dragon by arrival series is more reliable than treating the best-known panel as the original one.
Meaden’s direct questioning and focus on commercial fundamentals became a recognizable part of the programme. She has remained strongly associated with Dragon's Den across later panel changes and special episodes.