Dragons' Den series 23: BBC One confirms imminent start date as show returns with new guest Dragons
The team will be back, with a bit of a makeover!
Dragons’ Den is coming to a screen near you in 2026, and BBC One has now confirmed the start date for the upcoming series 23.
The new episodes landing soon will have a little face-lift, too, as there’s a new batch of Dragons’ heading into the Den. Seasoned investors Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett are back. But, this year, four new faces join them in the Den.
Of course, fans of the BBC show will know that Sara Davies left at the end of series 22 to focus on her business. Here’s everything we know so far about Dragons’ Den series 23, including the all-important start date.
Is there a series 23 of Dragons’ Den?
BBC One has confirmed that there IS a series 23 of Dragons’ Den, and it’s had a makeover. Not only has Sara Davies left the show, but there’ll be four guest Dragons’ in the Den in 2026.
Former footballer Gary Neville will be back. And he’ll be joined by three more business savvy celebrities. These include Susie Ma, who has built one of Britain’s quickest-growing beauty brands in Tropic Skincare.
Rapper and businessman Tinie Tempah takes the third guest chair, while REFY CEO Jenna Meek completes the Dragons’ Den guest set.
The BBC said: “Dragons’ Den is back in business with a brand-new series – and the heat is on. An exciting new line-up of guest Dragons is ready to shake things up in the Den and put Britain’s boldest entrepreneurs to the ultimate test.
“Seasoned investors Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett are back in the Den to strike deals and uncover the latest collection of game-changing business ideas. Back in the Den this season is footballing icon and entrepreneur Gary Neville, alongside an exciting line-up of guest Dragons: music mogul and rapper Tinie Tempah, REFY CEO and serial entrepreneur Jenna Meek, and Tropic Skincare powerhouse Susie Ma.”
Every episode will feature one of the four guest Dragons sitting alongside the OGs – Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett.
When is the start date of Dragons’ Den series 23?
Dragons’ Den series 23 will begin on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. This is the same evening it’s aired for years… So why change it now?
The show takes the 8pm to 9pm slot, and will run for seven weeks until March 12, 2026.
How many episodes is it?
Series 23 will kick off with seven brand new episodes, with more episodes to come later this year.
Fans of the show were frustrated last year when the series was broken up in two parts – with episodes seemingly dropped at random.
Read more: Dragons’ Den: Divisive figure from The Apprentice tipped to replace Sara Davies in line-up
