Since 2005, nervous entrepreneurs have climbed the stairs to pitch their ideas to a panel of multi-millionaires on Dragons' Den. The BBC show has turned household products into big businesses, produced some famous missed opportunities and made its investors familiar faces across Britain.
Series 23 aired on BBC One in 2026, with Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett joined by rotating guest dragons including Gary Neville. Here is our fan guide to the show. Find more favourites in our TV series collection.
Dragons' Den Fact File
| First broadcast | 4 January 2005 |
|---|---|
| Channel | BBC Two (2005-2020), BBC One (2021-present) |
| Format | Based on the Japanese series Manē no Tora ("Money Tigers") |
| Presenter | Evan Davis (presenter 2005-2023, narrator from 2024) |
| Series | 23 (to 2026) |
| Resident dragons (Series 23) | Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman, Steven Bartlett |
| Guest dragons (Series 23) | Susie Ma, Tinie Tempah, Jenna Meek, Gary Neville |
| Filmed at | Old Granada Studios, Manchester (since 2018) |
| Genre | Business reality |
| Original dragons | Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh, Simon Woodroffe, Doug Richard |
Seasons and Eras
| Years | Channel | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-2012 | BBC Two | The early years: Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne become fixtures, with Theo Paphitis joining in 2005 and Deborah Meaden in 2006 |
| 2013-2020 | BBC Two | New faces including Sarah Willingham, Touker Suleyman, Tej Lalvani and Sara Davies; filming moves around Manchester |
| 2021-present | BBC One | The show moves to BBC One, Steven Bartlett joins the panel and rotating guest dragons arrive |
The table summarises the show's eras. By 2026 it had reached 23 series, plus more than a dozen specials.
How It All Began
Dragons' Den is based on a Japanese format, Manē no Tora, which also inspired the American hit Shark Tank. The BBC version launched on BBC Two in January 2005, presented by economics journalist Evan Davis.
The idea is simple: entrepreneurs ask for investment in return for a share of their business, and the dragons put up their own money - or declare that they are out.
Pitch your love for the show with our Dragon's Den Men's Hoodie, a tribute design for fans.
Famous Pitches
Some of the show's best-known moments are the ones that got away. Trunki, the ride-on children's suitcase, left the Den without a deal but went on to become a major success. Tangle Teezer was also turned down, before growing into a global hairbrush brand.
Others found their perfect match. Levi Roots sang his way to a deal for Reggae Reggae Sauce with Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh, a pitch still remembered as one of the most entertaining in the show's history.
Stay sharp in our Dragon's Den Men's T-Shirt.
The Dragons
Peter Jones has been on the panel since the very first series, and Deborah Meaden joined in 2006. Over the years the line-up has included Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis, Hilary Devey and Sara Davies, while Steven Bartlett brought a new generation of fans after joining the panel. Recent series have added rotating guest dragons alongside the resident panel.
The Show Today
Now a BBC One fixture, the programme is filmed at Old Granada Studios in Manchester, and Evan Davis continues as narrator. Series 23 aired in two runs in 2026, from January to March and from August to October.
Achievements
Awards
- Banff Rockie Award for Best Unscripted Entertainment Programme (2005)
- BAFTA nominations for Best Features (2006 and 2007)
Longevity
- 23 series since 2005
- Moved from BBC Two to BBC One in 2021
Famous Deals
- Reggae Reggae Sauce (Series 4)
Behind the Scenes
The dragons invest their own money on the show, and deals agreed in the Den are subject to checks after filming, so not every on-screen handshake turns into a final investment.
FAQs
When did Dragons' Den start?
Dragons' Den first aired on BBC Two on 4 January 2005.
Who are the dragons on Dragons' Den now?
In Series 23 the resident dragons were Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett, with rotating guest dragons.
How many series of Dragons' Den are there?
There have been 23 series to date, with Series 23 airing in 2026.
Where is Dragons' Den filmed?
It has been filmed at Old Granada Studios in Manchester since 2018.
Who presents Dragons' Den?
Evan Davis presented the show from 2005 to 2023 and has narrated it since 2024.
Which businesses were turned down on Dragons' Den?
Famous examples include Trunki and Tangle Teezer, which both went on to great success without a Den investment.
Shop the Dragons' Den Collection
Show your love for the Den with our fan designs, made to order in the UK.
Explore more in our TV series collection and TV personalities collection, or create your own custom name hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: The Traitors: Series, Winners and BAFTAs and Only Fools and Horses.
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