Who replaced Rachel Elnaugh as a dragon on the British TV series Dragons' Den?

Deborah Meaden replaced Rachel Elnaugh as a dragon on the British TV series Dragons' Den.

Meaden joined the programme during its third series, taking the place of Rachel Elnaugh. She brought experience from family businesses and investments across sectors including retail, leisure and property, and became one of the show's best-known long-term investors.

Rachel Elnaugh was one of the original dragons and had founded the gift-experience company Red Letter Days. Her departure and Meaden's arrival marked an important early change to the British panel, which has been repeatedly refreshed over the programme's history.

Meaden's direct questioning and emphasis on business fundamentals became a recognisable part of her on-screen style. She remained a regular dragon for many years, so viewers sometimes remember her as an original investor even though she joined after the first panel.