Peter Jones is the original Dragon's Den investor who has remained on the British panel since the first series.
Jones is a British entrepreneur and businessman whose interests have included telecommunications, technology, retail and property. His presence has made him one of the defining figures in the UK version of the format, alongside the many dragons who have joined or departed over the years.
The investor lineup has changed substantially since the programme began. Familiar names such as Deborah Meaden, Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis, James Caan and Tej Lalvani have occupied seats at different times, but Jones has been the consistent member from the opening series onward.
This distinction matters because “original dragon” can mean a member of the first lineup, while “longest-serving dragon” describes continued participation across the programme's history. Jones is the safest answer to the latter description, rather than a dragon who appeared only in the early seasons.