Dragons' Den: The new Dragon tipped to replace Sara Davies

Dragons' Den: Divisive figure from The Apprentice tipped to replace Sara Davies in line-up

Helen Fear | 7:23pm Wed 1 Oct

Dragons’ Den viewers can expect to see a new Dragon on the BBC One show from next year – but not everyone will like Sara Davies’ replacement.

Sara joined the long-running factual series in 2019, and was the youngest ever Dragon at that time. But, sadly, she will be leaving at the end of the upcoming series 22.

So who will be replacing her in the line-up for series 23? Aspiring entrepreneurs currently pitch their business idea to five multimillionaire investors – Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett.

Although BBC One has not yet confirmed the identity of the new Dragon on Dragons’ Den, there are some names in the mix. Read on to find out.

Sara Davies and Deborah Meaden try a drink on Dragons' Den — Farewell drinks Sara? [Credit: BBC Studios]

Who is replacing Sara Davies on Dragons’ Den?

The broadcaster has not yet confirmed Sara Davies’ replacement on the BBC One show, but we have an exclusive insight in who the new Dragon might be.

And the favourite is a divisive face from another BBC One show. The eye-rolling Apprentice star Karren Brady is top of the list to join the show.

Baroness Karren Brady’s odds are 2/1 to replace Sara Davies on Dragons’ Den. Of course, she’s been Lord Alan Sugar’s right-hand woman on The Apprentice ever since 2010. Before becoming his crucial aide on the show, she often appeared as interviewer during the final stages of the series.

Of course, she is famous for being CEO of West Ham United Football Club, currently valued at £800,000,000. She was previously a key consultant for Syco Entertainment, a company jointly owned by Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment.

She has had and been involved in many successful businesses, earning her a reported net worth of around £93million.

Shane Orton – spokesperson for Sportscasting.com/uk – told us: “Karren Brady has shot to the top of the list to replace Sara Davies on Dragons’ Den, with bookies putting her at 2/1.

“Already a familiar face to business TV fans, she’s got the boardroom credentials and screen presence to slot straight in. Her no-nonsense style would bring a fresh dynamic to the panel, and it looks like viewers and the odds are backing her.”

Baroness Karren Brady on The Apprentice series 19 [Credit: BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston/Rufina Breskin]

Who else is in the running to be the new Dragon in the Den?

Sportscasting also put Gary Neville at 4/1. He’s already appeared as a guest on Dragons’ Den series 22.

The other contenders to be the new Dragon Dragons’ Den are:

British businesswoman, entrepreneur and fashion designer Emma Grede 9/2

Trinny Woodall, beauty entrepreneur, businesswoman, and the founder of cosmetics brand Trinny London 6/1

Interior entrepreneur Alison Cork 12/1

Greek-Cypriot retail magnate and former Dragon Theo Paphitis 14/1

Fitness superstar Joe Wicks 16/1

Scottish entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and former Dragon Duncan Bannatyne 25/1

South African-born interior designer, author, and proprietor of her own interiors company Kelly Hoppen 25/1

Amstrad founder Lord Sugar 33/1

British businesswoman and Labour Party life peer Poppy Gustafsson 33/1

Australian private investor and reality television personality Richard Farleigh 33/1

The spokesperson said: “Gary Neville sits close behind Karren Brady at 4/1, notably backed by Sara Davies herself as her ideal successor.

“His growing reputation in business and punditry adds weight to the rumours. Emma Grede, who impressed during her guest appearance, follows at 9/2. Other former Dragons like Theo Paphitis and Duncan Bannatyne also feature in the running, but the smart money, for now, is on Baroness Brady.”

Former footballer Gary Neville on Dragons' Den — Former footballer Gary Neville on Dragons’ Den [Credit: BBC Studios]

Why is Sara Davies leaving the BBC show?

Sadly, Sara Davies announced she was leaving Dragons’ Den after series 22 after six years. She plans to “step away” from filming to focus on her own business.

In a statement posted on Instagram, she said she had “taken the decision to step away from the Den for now, to focus on my own business”. Of course, that might mean she’ll be back in the future. Sara is the founder of Crafters Companion, a crafting company she launched in 2005.

In her post, Sara said: “As a lot of you will know, I’ve taken up my position again as CEO of Crafter’s Companion and my business is my big priority this year. And when I commit to a business, I really commit, which is why I find Dragons’ Den such a rewarding role.”

She added: “It means seeing through your investment and committing to your part in that organisation. It’s so much more than a TV show.

“That’s why taken the decision to step away from the Den for now, to focus on my own business, which was my first baby! So I won’t be filming with the team this year for the next series.”

Sara’s fans will know that Sara became the youngest ever female Dragon when she joined the series aged 35 in 2019. She is now 41.

Sara will continue to be on our TV screens, however. She will soon appear in ITV’s The Box. Ten celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, music, sport, and politics take part in the entertainment show. Sara Davies will appear alongside Graeme Souness, Ellie Taylor, John Bercow, Shakira Khan, JB Gill, Ranvir Singh, Jenny Ryan, Danny Aarons and Joey Essex. Hosted by Gary Lineker, The Box “plunges 10 celebrity contestants into the unknown”. The series will be filmed in the UK later this year and will air on ITV in 2026.