Which original female dragon appeared on the first British series of Dragons' Den?

Rachel Elnaugh appeared as an original female dragon on the first British series of Dragons' Den.

Elnaugh was part of the original investor lineup when the British programme launched in 2005. She was known as a businesswoman and entrepreneur, and her presence made her one of the first women to occupy the dragon role in the UK version.

Deborah Meaden later became one of the programme’s most recognisable investors, but she was not the female dragon in the first series. Sara Davies and Kelly Hoppen joined the show much later, reflecting the changing composition of the panel.

The wording “original” refers to the launch panel rather than the investor who remained longest. Peter Jones is associated with every series, while Elnaugh’s importance lies in her place among the first dragons who established the British format.