Which original Dragon's Den investor left the programme after its first series?

Doug Richard was the original Dragon's Den investor who left the programme after its first series.

Richard, an American-born entrepreneur and angel investor, joined the original BBC panel when Dragon's Den launched in 2005. He was known for focusing closely on business models, margins and the practical prospects of the companies seeking investment.

The first panel also included Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh and Simon Woodroffe. Richard did not remain for the second series, so later viewers may not recognise him as one of the show's original five Dragons.

His departure is sometimes confused with Simon Woodroffe's exit. Woodroffe also left after the first series, while later replacements included Theo Paphitis and other investors. Richard subsequently remained active in entrepreneurship, mentoring and early-stage investment.