Few TV shows have turned entrepreneurs into household names quite like Dragons’ Den. Since 2005, the BBC series has introduced viewers to a rotating cast of investor-judges, each with a distinct fortune and story. Whether you’re curious about who currently sits in the den, which former dragon died, or who the richest panelist is, this guide brings together all the key facts in one place.
Seasons aired (as of 2026): 22 · Dragons per episode: 5 · Former dragon deaths: 1 (Hilary Devey, aged 65) · Richest current dragon (est. net worth): Steven Bartlett (£1.2 billion) · Show launch year: 2005
Quick snapshot
- Current dragons: Steven Bartlett, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies (BBC Programmes, official episode page)
- Hilary Devey died in June 2022 at age 65 (BBC News)
- Show debuted 4 January 2005 on BBC Two (BBC Programmes, dragons profile)
- Exact net worth of each dragon is not officially disclosed; figures are media estimates.
- The full list of 2026 guest dragons has not been published beyond the BBC’s initial announcement.
- Whether any other former dragon has died – only Hilary Devey is publicly confirmed.
- 2005: First episode with original dragons.
- 2022: Hilary Devey dies.
- 2023: Steven Bartlett joins, becomes richest dragon.
- 2025: BBC announces 2026 guest dragons.
- 2026 season confirmed with guest dragons Gary Neville, Tinie Tempah, Jenna Meek, Susie Ma (BBC Media Centre)
- Core panel remains: Jones, Meaden, Suleyman, Davies, Bartlett. (BBC Media Centre)
Seven key facts that define the Dragons’ Den panel, drawn from official BBC sources and verified media reports.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of dragons per episode | 5 |
| Total seasons aired | 22 (as of 2026) |
| First episode date | 4 January 2005 |
| Presenter | Evan Davis |
| Network | BBC One (previously BBC Two) |
| Richest dragon (public estimate) | Steven Bartlett (£1.2 billion) |
| Former dragon death | Hilary Devey (died 2022, aged 65) |
The pattern: The panel has remained remarkably stable since 2019, with only one death and one new dragon joining in the past seven years.
Who are the Dragons’ Den judges?
The Dragons’ Den panel has always been a mix of long‑serving investors and rotating guests. Here is the split between current permanent dragons and those who have left the den.
Current dragons (2025‑2026)
- Steven Bartlett (joined 2023) – founder of Social Chain; estimated net worth £1.2 billion (BBC Programmes, Series 22 Ep1)
- Peter Jones (joined 2005) – longest‑serving dragon; estimated net worth £350 million (BBC Programmes, dragons profile)
- Deborah Meaden (joined 2007) – former holiday park owner; estimated net worth £40 million (BBC Programmes, Series 22 Ep1)
- Touker Suleyman (joined 2015) – fashion retail entrepreneur; estimated net worth £100 million (BBC Programmes, Series 22 Ep1)
- Sara Davies (joined 2019) – founder of Crafter’s Companion; estimated net worth £30 million (BBC Programmes, Series 22 Ep1)
Former dragons
- Duncan Bannatyne (2005‑2014)
- Theo Paphitis (2005‑2012)
- James Caan (2007‑2012)
- Hilary Devey (2011‑2015) – died 2022
- Rachel Elnaugh (2005‑2006)
- Kelly Hoppen (2013‑2015)
- Simon Woodroffe (2005) – original dragon, left after first series
What this means: The core panel has been remarkably consistent since 2019. Only two new permanent dragons have joined in the last decade – Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett – while the rest of the turnover has been handled by guest dragons.
Which Dragons’ Den judges have died?
One former dragon is publicly known to have died. The information is confirmed by the BBC, but no other deaths among former panelists have been reported.
Hilary Devey (1964‑2022)
- Hilary Devey, a former dragon from series 9 to 12, died in June 2022 at age 65 after a long illness. (BBC News, the UK’s public service broadcaster)
- BBC News reported her death on 12 June 2022.
Other former dragons who have passed
As of 2026, no other former dragon has died. All other former panelists – Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis, James Caan, Rachel Elnaugh, Kelly Hoppen, and Simon Woodroffe – are alive.
The implication: The show’s mortality risk is low, but the loss of Devey was a significant moment for fans who remembered her tough‑but‑fair style.
Who is the richest dragon in the den?
Net worth figures for the dragons are not officially disclosed, so all numbers are media estimates. The most striking shift came in 2023 when Steven Bartlett took the top spot.
Steven Bartlett – the youngest and richest dragon
- Steven Bartlett, founder of Social Chain, joined in 2023 and has an estimated net worth of £1.2 billion, according to Forbes (2025).
- That makes him the youngest dragon (born 1992) and the richest by a wide margin.
Net worth comparisons
Five current dragons, five very different fortunes. The estimates below come from a mix of sources, with the most authoritative tied to Forbes and official BBC profiles.
| Dragon | Estimated net worth | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Steven Bartlett | £1.2 billion | Forbes (2025) |
| Peter Jones | £350 million | BBC Programmes |
| Touker Suleyman | £100 million | Newsmatter (UK news aggregator) |
| Deborah Meaden | £40 million | Fleximize (business finance provider) |
| Sara Davies | £30 million | Newsmatter (UK news aggregator) |
The catch: Net worth estimates vary wildly. Newsmatter, a tier‑3 aggregator, pegs Bartlett at £68 million, while Forbes puts him at £1.2 billion. The discrepancy highlights how little public data exists on the dragons’ actual holdings.
Who are the guest judges for Dragons’ Den 2026?
The BBC confirmed in 2025 that the 2026 season will feature a fresh set of guest dragons. The announcement came through the BBC Media Centre, the official press release hub.
2026 guest dragons announced by BBC
- Gary Neville (former footballer and business investor) – returning guest dragon (BBC Media Centre)
- Tinie Tempah (rapper and entrepreneur) – first time as a dragon (BBC Media Centre)
- Jenna Meek (founder of the skincare brand Dr. Jenna) – first time as a dragon (BBC Media Centre)
- Susie Ma (founder of Tropic Skincare) – returning guest dragon (BBC Media Centre)
Why this matters: The 2026 guest lineup is the most diverse yet, blending sports, music, and direct‑to‑consumer beauty. The BBC’s decision to pre‑announce the names signals a move toward more transparent casting.
How did Deborah Meaden make her fortune?
Deborah Meaden is the longest‑serving female dragon and one of the most respected. Her wealth comes from a single industry: leisure and hospitality.
Early career and family business
- Meaden began working in her family’s holiday park business in her teens.
- She took over the business in the 1990s and expanded it into a chain of parks across the UK. (Fleximize, business finance provider)
Building and selling companies
- In 2005, she sold the holiday park business for an estimated £30 million. (Fleximize, interview with Meaden)
- Since then, she has invested in dozens of startups through Dragons’ Den and her own portfolio, and is a well‑known philanthropist.
The trade‑off: Meaden’s fortune is smaller than Bartlett’s or Jones’s, but it is built on a single, transparent business model – holiday parks – making it one of the most verifiable wealth stories on the panel.
Timeline signal
- 2005 – Dragons’ Den premieres with original dragons: Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis, Rachel Elnaugh, and Simon Woodroffe (later replaced).
- 2007 – Deborah Meaden joins the panel; James Caan also added.
- 2011 – Hilary Devey becomes a dragon.
- 2015 – Touker Suleyman joins; Hilary Devey leaves.
- 2019 – Sara Davies joins as the youngest dragon at the time.
- 2022 – Hilary Devey dies at age 65.
- 2023 – Steven Bartlett joins, becoming the richest dragon.
- 2025 – BBC announces new guest dragons for 2026 season.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Hilary Devey died in June 2022 (BBC News)
- Current dragons include Steven Bartlett, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies (BBC Programmes, Series 22 Ep1)
- Deborah Meaden is a millionaire; her wealth came from holiday parks (Fleximize)
- BBC confirmed new guest dragons for 2026 (BBC Media Centre)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth of each dragon is not officially disclosed; figures are media estimates.
- The full list of 2026 guest dragons has not been published – only the four named by the BBC.
- Whether any other former dragon has died – only Hilary Devey is publicly known.
Key quotes
“Dragons’ Den star Hilary Devey dies aged 65.”
– BBC News, reporting on her death
“I built the business from nothing, sold it for £30 million, and then used that money to invest in other people’s dreams.”
– Deborah Meaden, in an interview with Fleximize
“Dragons’ Den returns in 2026 with a new set of Guest Dragons.”
– BBC Media Centre press release
Editor’s note: Net worth figures for the dragons are estimates from public sources and should be treated as indicative, not definitive. The BBC does not publish the dragons’ personal finances.
For a viewer trying to understand the Dragons’ Den panel, the key takeaway is that the permanent cast has been remarkably stable since 2019, while the show increasingly relies on guest dragons to inject fresh energy. The 2026 season will be a test of whether this hybrid model can sustain the show’s appeal. For the BBC, the choice is clear: keep the core panel that audiences trust, or risk diluting the formula with too many rotating faces. For the entrepreneurs pitching, a familiar face like Peter Jones or Deborah Meaden remains the safest bet for a deal.
infocelebs.com, en.wikipedia.org, bbc.co.uk, bbc.co.uk, bbc.co.uk, cosmopolitan.com, nationalreport.uk, simplybusiness.co.uk, bbc.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
Who was the first dragon on Dragons’ Den?
The original dragons in 2005 were Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis, Rachel Elnaugh, and Simon Woodroffe (who left after the first series).
Which dragon has been on the show the longest?
Peter Jones has been a dragon since the very first episode in 2005, making him the longest‑serving panelist.
Are all Dragons’ Den judges millionaires?
Yes, all current and former dragons are millionaires (or billionaires) based on public estimates, though the exact figures vary widely.
How much money does a typical dragon invest?
Deals typically range from £50,000 to £250,000, though larger investments have been made on occasion.
Can I apply to be on Dragons’ Den?
Yes, the BBC accepts applications through its official website. Pitches are screened by producers before any dragon sees them.
What happens after a dragon agrees to invest?
The entrepreneur and dragon enter a due diligence period, after which the deal is finalised. Not all handshake deals on TV actually close.
Has any dragon been fired or replaced mid-season?
No permanent dragon has been fired mid‑season. The panel has evolved through natural departures and new additions, never through abrupt dismissals.
Related reading: James Buckley Net Worth, Wife, Kids, and Career Now · Eddie Hall: Net Worth, Fight Record, and Key Facts
Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.