Which original female Dragon appeared on the first UK series of Dragon's Den in 2005?

Rachel Elnaugh was an original female Dragon on the first UK series of Dragon's Den in 2005.

Elnaugh joined the initial panel of five investors when the British adaptation launched. She was known for building Red Letter Days, a company selling experience gifts, and brought retail and entrepreneurial experience to the investment room.

The original panel also included Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis and Simon Woodroffe. Elnaugh's time on the regular panel was limited compared with some later Dragons, which is why newer viewers may more readily associate the programme's early female investor with Deborah Meaden.

Deborah Meaden joined the programme after the first series and became one of its most recognisable long-serving investors. The distinction matters because both women are strongly linked with Dragon's Den, but only Elnaugh was part of the original 2005 panel.