Dragons' Den has marked a show first with more female investors than male on the panel, following the departures of two long-standing stars.
The BBC programme returned to screens on Thursday, August 20, after a months-long break with the remainder of series 23. For the first time, the series featured more female investors than male.
Sara Davies and Touker Suleyman Step Down
Last year, Sara Davies announced her departure after first joining in 2019, and just months ago, Touker Suleyman confirmed that he too would be stepping back. Guest judges have since been stepping in, with the names this year including Tinie Tempah, Gary Neville, Jenna Meek and Susie Ma.
As Jenna and Susie joined Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones and Steven Bartlett in the first new episode, they made Dragons' Den history, reports Chronicle Live.
Jenna Meek on the Historic Moment
Moments after stepping into the Den, REFY founder Jenna commented: “Can we take a moment? I think this is the first time in the Den there’s been more females than men, so very cool!” She added to Peter and Steven: “So watch out, you two!” before Steven quipped back: “Don’t gang up on us.”
Jenna had featured in earlier episodes this year, having previously said when she made her debut: “When I was little, I always used to watch Dragons’ Den with my dad and always aspired to be on the show as an entrepreneur, so to be here as a Dragon is surreal.”
She continued: “When it comes to the types of businesses I’m interested in, I’m less focused on specific sectors and more drawn to founders who are genuinely reshaping their industries. I love seeing entrepreneurs innovating, challenging norms, and reshaping within their space - that really excites and inspires me!”
Jenna's Style as a Dragon
She added: “I think I’m quite a funny Dragon! I definitely found myself sticking up for the entrepreneurs and even telling the other Dragons off a few times. I really resonated with the people standing in front of us because I was in their position almost eight years ago.
“I was empathetic towards the entrepreneurs and much more competitive with my fellow Dragons. I was still very much a Dragon, just maybe a tougher one on the panel than on the entrepreneurs! It surprised me how protective I felt over them, but it felt very true to who I am.”
Dragons' Den airs Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
