Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies has announced she’s stepping back from the BBC One programme ‘for now’ to focus on her own businesses.
The Strictly Come Dancing star, 40, made history joining the Den in 2019 as the youngest ever female Dragon.
She took the place of Jenny Campbell, and became the 18th investor on the show, alongside Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Tej Lalvani.
Since then, Steven Bartlett has replaced Tej as an investor, while Gary Neville, Emma Grede, Joe Wicks and Trinny Woodall have all also made guest appearances.
But what happened to the other Dragons who quit the series?
Simon Woodroffe
Simon Woodroffe, the founder of Yo! Sushi, was an investor on the first series of Dragons’ Den during which he only invested one company.
As well as Dragons’ Den, Simon – who also worked in the music and TV industry – has gone on to advocate for prison reform, and has also been raising awareness of mental health, having spoken about his depression battle before founding the restaurant chain.
Doug Richard
American entrepreneur Doug Richard starred on the first two seasons of Dragons’ Den.
In 2016, Richard was found not guilty of child sex offences after he admitted having sex with a 13-year-old girl, telling the court he believed she was 17.
He was cleared of sexual activity with a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and paying for sexual services.
Rachel Elnaugh
Alongside Richard, Rachel Elnaugh featured on the first two seasons of Dragons’ Den. She was the only original female investor on the show.
Her company Red Letter Days went into administration in 2005 while she was still a Dragon, and the remaining assets and goods were bought by her co-stars Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis, according to The Mirror.
Elnaugh now works as a venture capital adviser and business speaker and has published a book titled Business Nightmares – When Entrepreneurs Hit Crisis Point.
In 2023, Elnaugh was ordered to demolish her ‘safe haven’ for anti-vaxxers after once sharing on social media that Chris Whitty ‘will hang’ for offering Covid-19 vaccinations to children, calling it ‘child abuse’.
Duncan Bannatyne
Duncan Bannatyne quit Dragons’ Den in 2015, during which time he invested in 36 businesses.
Five years later, Duncan admitted he ‘probably broke even’ on his investments, saying: ‘I probably broke even, made a little bit, or broke even, but it became obvious to me that wasn’t where the money in this was.
‘I remember talking to (fellow dragon) Theo Paphitis one day and we said that you know it’s worth £100,000 a year, the publicity that we get from it for our businesses.’
He later went on to star on the likes of I’m A Celebrity and The Real Marigold Hotel.
Theo Paphitis
Theo Paphitis joined Dragons’ Den in 2005 but gave up his seat in 2013.
‘This has not been an easy decision or one that I have taken lightly,’ he said at the time.
‘But with the workload involved in growing my exciting, successful new lingerie brand Boux Avenue, along with my recent purchase of the Robert Dyas retail chain and the running of the 240 Ryman stationery shops, the time felt right to give up my seat, stop breathing fire and allow someone else to enjoy the wonderful experience of being a Dragon on the BBC hit TV show, Dragons’ Den.’
He added: ‘Thank you auntie, I am out.’
The former chairman of Millwall Football Club was said to be worth £290million in The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020.
He also returned to Dragons’ Den for four episodes in 2019 and three episodes in 2021, stepping in for Toukey Suleyman and Peter Jones.
Richard Farleigh
Richard Farleigh admitted he was ‘gutted’ when he was dropped from the Dragons’ Den lineup in 2007.
According to The Guardian, he said: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed being a Dragon – it is an illustrious group.
‘I was looking forward to taking part in the next series, I had even moved back to the UK to focus on commitments for the show.
‘I am gutted that I have not been invited back to be part of the new series.’
The Australian businessman became one of the Dragons who made the most offers, and later returned to TV for an ABC News documentary on his life, There But For Fortune.
James Caan
James Caan replaced Farleigh, joining Dragons’ Den in 2007 and leaving in 2011.
At the time, he said he wanted to devote more time to ‘existing investments’ and ‘philanthropic work’.
There were also reports the decision came after Caan’s public spat with Bannatyne over having non-dom tax status.
Caan has written several books on his life including The Real Deal – My Story from Brick Lane to Dragons’ Den.
Hilary Devey
Hilary Devey appeared on Dragons’ Den between 2011 and 2013.
She died in June 2022 at the age of 64 after battling a long illness.
The former CEO and Chairman of Pall-Ex, the UK’s leading palletised freight distribution network, also appeared on the likes of The Secret Millionaire, Channel 4’s The Intern, as well as Channel 5’s The Business Inspector and BBC Two miniseries Hilary Devey’s Women at the Top.
Devey also became a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women in 2015 but left later that year.
Piers Linney
Piers Linney replaced Theo Paphitis on Dragons’ Den in 2013, but quit in 2015, saying: ‘I’ve enjoyed every minute and feel honoured to contribute to such an iconic TV show.’
Over his stint on the BBC One programme, he invested in only nine out of 200 pitches.
He also went on to appear on The Secret Millionaire in 2011, and in 2018 was named in The Financial Times’ list of the top 100 minority ethnic leaders in technology, making it to the top 20.
Kelly Hoppen
Interior designer Kelly Hoppen was on Dragons’ Den between 2013 and 2015, having previously presented hero own Channel 5 show, Superior Interiors with Kelly Hoppen.
Announcing her exit, she said: ‘It has been a privilege to be part of a programme which champions entrepreneurs.
‘I will miss my fellow judges and I’m sure someone amazing will fill my seat.’
She also had a cameo in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie and was a judges on The Great Interior Design Challenge.
In 2019, Kelly joined Amanda Holden, Ayda Williams, Rachel Johnson and Tameka Empson on Celebrity Apprentice for Comic Relief.
Nick Jenkins
Nick Jenkins was a Dragon for seasons 13 and 14, alongside Sarah Wallingham, with the pair replacing Linney and Hoppen.
Announcing his departure, Moonpig.com founder Jenkins said he wants to work on his own businesses rather than investing.
He added: ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed making Dragons’ Den but I want to focus more on my portfolio of educational technology businesses and that would make it difficult to take on any more investments from the Den.’
Sarah Wallingham
Sarah Willingham, who created the Bombay Bicycle Club chain, said when she exited: ‘Being part of Dragons’ Den has been one of the best experiences of my life.
‘At the end of last year my husband Michael and I decided to finally put into action our long-held dream to spend a year travelling the world with our young children.
‘Sadly this means that I’ve had to step down from my role as a Dragon. It’s been a great privilege to be part of such a fantastic show and I wish everyone on it continued success.’
As well as Dragons’ Den, Wallingham has featured on various programmes including a celebrity version of The Chase.
She and her husband founded bar group Nightcap PLC in 2021.
Jenny Campbell
Jenny Campbell joined Dragons’ Den in 2017 for its 15th series, but quit two years later.
She had invested in the likes of energy-switch website Look After My Bills and Didsbury Gin but left the show to concentrate on her role with the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme.
In a statement, she said: ‘I have invested in businesses and entrepreneurs who I believe I can add real value to personally, and I look forward to working with each of them closely over the next few years.
‘It has been a tough decision to step down but I now want to focus on my new role with the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Fellowship Programme which supports young entrepreneurs in setting up and growing their own businesses, as well as help my sons Rik and Tom on their own entrepreneurial journeys.’
Tej Lalvani
Vitabiotics CEO Tej Lalvani was a Dragon between 2017 and 2021 and quit to place greater focus on his own business ventures.
After sharing his excitement for what would be his last series of Dragons’ Den, he said in a statement: ‘My commitment to the international growth and expansion of my core business and the numerous investments over the years sadly means I will be unable to dedicate the necessary time moving forward.’
The property investment businessman was named one of LinkedIn’s Top UK Voices in 2020 and, according to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2019, has a net worth of £390million.
Dragons’ Den is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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