Tinie Tempah: From chart-topping rapper to presenter and Dragons' Den star
He first burst onto the music scene in 2010 with the UK number one single Pass Out
Tinie Tempah is the latest guest to join Dragons’ Den as series 23 continues with a new face-lift and some fresh pitches.
This week, rapper and singer-turned-businessman Tinie joins the line-up – and there’s some healthy rivalry between him and Steven Bartlett. But, sorry, Steven – Tinie is WAY cooler!
After the departure of fan favourite Sara Davies, BBC One announced the series would not be replacing her. For now, at least. Instead, four guest Dragons will appear on the show for series 23’s 14-week run.
And this week (Thursday, February 19), it’s the turn of Tinie Tempah. So how did he become rich, what is he famous for, and how the pandemic changed his life.
Here’s everything you need to know about new Dragons’ Den star Tinie Tempah.
Who are the Dragons on Dragons’ Den?
Dragons’ Den is back with a brand-new series – and an exciting new line-up of guest Dragons are ready to “shake things up”.
In 2026, four new faces (well, almost) are joining seasoned investors Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett.
Former footballer and entrepreneur Gary Neville is back, and made his return in episode two. He first appeared in two episodes in 2024. REFY CEO Jenna Meek, and rapper Tinie Tempah complete the line-up alongside Tropic Skincare’s Susie Ma.
Every episode will feature one of the four sitting alongside the resident Dragons. Seven brand new episodes of Dragons’ Den began on Thursday, January 29, 2026, on BBC One and iPlayer with more episodes to come later this year. Like series 22 in 2025, the series will be split into two.
All the guest Dragons appearing on Dragons' Den series 23
Gary Neville
Professional footy player turned businessman/media figure Gary Neville is no stranger to Dragons' Den. At the start of 2024, he became the first-ever guest Dragon and appeared in two episodes of series 21. At the time, the Manchester United FC legend poured money into three firms all in all. He plumped for a personal cinema company, cacao business, and a service for grieving families.
Gary was a property developer throughout his sports career. He also co-owned Stock Exchange Hotel, which is now one of Manchester's top establishments of its kind. He's the co-owner of Hotel Football in the same city.
Susie Ma
Susie Ma has built one of Britain's quickest-growing beauty brands in Tropic Skincare. She reached the final of fellow reality show The Apprentice back in 2011, the year inventor Tom Pellereau shook Alan Sugar's hand as the winner.
Despite not choosing her as the winner, Lord Alan Sugar invested £200,000 in Susie Ma's business, Tropic Skincare . She secured a 50/50 partnership with Sugar, which grew the company into a highly successful brand. Ma bought back Sugar's stake in 2023.
Cut to 2023 and the businesswoman bought out Lord Sugar's stake in her natural skincare company and is now its sole owner. Susie was also named in The Sunday Times 40 Under 40 in 2024.
Tinie Tempah
Rapper Tinie Tempah takes the third guest chair. It's been 15 years since he burst onto the music scene with the song Pass Out, and now he's the founder of Imhotep Records. In between, Tinie (real name Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu) has launched RAPS together with chef Hasan Semay, a virtual soul food brand, plus food incubator Kitchen Ventures.
Jenna Meek
REFY CEO Jenna Meek completes the Dragons' Den guest set. At the age of 20, she launched SHRINE, a makeup and cosmetic glitter brand that gained immediate traction via pop-ups at global festivals.
In 2020, Jenna launched REFY, another beauty brand which now has a reported annual turnover of over £40 million. The likes of Brown Thomas, Sephora and Selfridges are stockists.
Who is the new Dragon Tinie Tempah?
Tinie Tempah is a chart-topping rapper and entrepreneur. Born to Nigerian parents in Woolwich, South London, Tinie has spoken publicly about the influence of his upbringing on his work ethic and ambition. He first burst onto the music scene in 2010 with the UK number one single Pass Out, followed by a string of successes including seven UK number one singles, three top 10 albums, and multiple Brit, MOBO, and Ivor Novello Awards.
However, the pandemic played a big role in his decision to diversify his career. Tinie previously told the Independent: “At the start of the pandemic, the music industry got hit really, really hard. Obviously, there were no gigs. I was in the studio at home, scratching my head.”
It was then he was asked to host a property show for Channel 4. He said at the time: “I’ve been making music since I was 16-years-old. I’ve achieved a lot. But I feel like this is a new challenge.”
Tinie Tempah has an extensive property portfolio. His business interests also include ventures in food, fashion and property.
Talking about becoming a Dragon, he said: “I’ve been a fan of the show and the Dragons for over a decade. I’ve been entrepreneurial from the start of my music career and began angel investing around 2016. When I was asked to be a guest Dragon, I simply couldn’t refuse.”
Angel investors provide money to startups in exchange for equity – much like the Dragons do!
What businesses does he have?
In 2007, Tinie Tempah co-founded Disturbing London, a company that began as a record label. In 2015, he created Imhotep – a broader creative agency involved in music, fashion and talent development. The agency collaborates with major brands including Nike, Mercedes, Silvercross, and Google. It is “dedicated to bringing London’s cultural influence to fashion, art, and music”.
In 2017, his contemporary menswear label What We Wear debuted at London Fashion Week to strong reviews.
Tinie’s investments include a consumer brand called Drip Water which he helped turn into a £100 million business, an electronics company called Nothing, and virtual soul food brand Raps which he launched alongside Jonny Boud, founder of Kitchen Ventures.
In 2025, Tinie also founded his own music record label, Imhotep Records. Now in his mid-30s, Tinie is embracing a new chapter in his career. He is “focusing on mentoring emerging talent and supporting creative entrepreneurship”, particularly among people from under-represented backgrounds.
What is he famous for?
Tinie Tempah is best know as a British rapper. He released his debut album, Disc-Overy, in October 2010. Singles Pass Out and Written in the Stars both made it to number one in the UK charts.
In February 2011, he won two Brit Awards for Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Single. In November 2013, he released his second album, entitled Demonstration.
He’s had seven UK number one’s, surpassing Dizzee Rascal as the most by any UK rap artist. In October 2021, Tinie made his TV debut as the presenter of Extraordinary Extensions on Channel 4.
He’s now bringing the cool to Dragons’ Den.
Is he still making music?
Tinie is still writing music, performing music, and touring. Just recently he completed a tour of Australia. His new single Energy is out now.
Energy, Tinie’s song with Alex Mills, is a high-tempo, electronic-influenced track “celebrating the vibrant spirit of UK nightlife and club culture”.
Released in early 2026, the song is designed to bring a “craziest energy” to dancefloors and acts as a sonic, feel-good anthem aimed at encouraging people back into, and protecting, nightlife spaces.
What is Tinie’s real name and why did he choose a stage name?
Tinie Tempah’s real name is Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu. He thought up his stage name when he was just 12 years old, after watching the music video for So Solid Crew’s 21 Seconds.
He used a thesaurus in class, adding “tempah” which he saw under “angry”, with “tinie”. And the rest is history!
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How old is Tinie Tempah? Where is he from?
Tinie was born on November 07 1988 in Plumstead, London. The son of Igbo parents from Nigeria, his middle name, Chukwuemeka, means ‘God has done more’ in the Igbo language.
He is currently 37 years of age.
Who is Tinie Tempah’s partner? Is he married?
Tinie – who practices Brazilian jiu jitsu – is married to wife Eve De Haan. They married in Cirencester on July 04, 2019. Eve is the daughter of Sir Roger De Haan, former owner of Saga plc, and Marie Lyvie Goder.
Tinie and Eva have two children together, a daughter born at Christmas time in 2018 and another child born in 2021.
Eve is a 34-year-old artist from London. She studied theology at Leeds University in 2010 and graduated in 2013. After graduating from university she dedicated her life to art, especially installation.
‘I’m a shrewd but empathetic Dragon’
Talking about his experience in the Den, Tinie Tempah said it was a “surprise”. He explained: “I’d say I’m a shrewd but empathetic Dragon. I tend to get more excited by young founders and entrepreneurs, as it reminds me of myself starting out in the music industry at a very young age. I’m mainly interested in businesses where I can add significant value beyond capital.”
As for the business he’s interested in, he added: “I’m hoping to find a young founder with a disruptive tech solution for the music industry, particularly around distribution or marketing, or a Gen Z / Gen Alpha–focused consumer brand.
