Dragons' Den series 23: BBC confirms the popular show will return with four new guest Dragons
Which of these new faces are you looking forward to seeing?
Dragons’ Den is returning with brand new episodes next year – and four new guest Dragons will appear in series 23.
Former footballer Gary Neville, who appeared as a guest Dragon in series 21, will be back. And he’ll be joined by three more business savvy celebrities.
Every episode of Dragons’ Den series 23 will feature one of the four new guests sitting alongside the resident Dragons. Heavyweights Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett will all return to the Den.
Sadly, Sara Davies won’t be part of the lineup for 2026, having stepped away from the programme to focus on her business. Karren Brady is one of the frontrunners to be her replacement – if, in fact, she IS replaced. Perhaps her spot will be left free for guest Dragons.
Let’s meet the four guest Dragons appearing on Dragons’ Den series 23 in 2026.
Dragons’ Den series 23: Gary Neville returns as guest
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. 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 also a co-owner of Hotel Football in the same city.
“It’s an honour to be invited back into the Den and join the Dragons again,” he says. “I met so many fantastic entrepreneurs last time and I’m excited to see the businesses that step into the Den this time around.”
Star of The Apprentice Susie Ma joins Dragons’ Den
Our second guest Dragon, 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 ultimately shook Alan Sugar’s hand.
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 last year.
“It’s an absolute honour to join the Den as a Guest Dragon. I started Tropic from a market stall at 15, and I know the grit, vision and belief it takes to turn a spark of an idea into something extraordinary,” she shared.
“I’m here to back the bold – the next generation of changemakers building businesses with purpose, creativity and courage. Sitting in that iconic chair is a pinch-me moment, and I’m so excited to help brilliant founders bring their dreams to life.”
Tinie Tempah: Music star
A curveball if we’ve ever seen one; 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.
He said of his exciting new TV job: “I have a keen interest in supporting emerging entrepreneurs as well as investing in a wide-ranging portfolio of businesses, so Dragons’ Den was an opportunity I simply couldn’t turn down.
“I am ecstatic to become a Guest Dragon and look forward to seeing where I can help, bring value and of course invest in some of these brilliant businesses and people that step into the Den.”
Who is Jenna Meek in Dragons’ Den series 23
REFY CEO Jenna Meek completes the Dragons’ Den guest set.
At the mere age of 20, she launched SHRINE. It’s a makeup and cosmetic glitter brand that gained immediate traction via pop-ups at global festivals.
November 2020 was when REFY emerged, another beauty brand with a reported annual turnover of over £40 million. The likes of Brown Thomas, Sephora and Selfridges are stockists.
“This has been a lifelong goal of mine,” she said of joining Dragons’ Den. “[The show] is the reason I became an entrepreneur. So it is incredible to be able to meet so many amazing entrepreneurs building businesses and pushing the boundaries.
“It’s incredible to be here alongside the Dragons, especially Deborah. She’s inspired me from such a young age, and I hope I can do the same for someone else.”
When will Dragons’ Den return?
Dragons’ Den will return to the BBC in 2026.
Although the BBC has not confirmed an exact start date, previous series usually start in January.
Read more: Dragons’ Den series 22: Guest judge Joe Wicks loves ‘gym in a bag’ BodyXcore pitch in episode 1
