The iconic investment show Dragons' Den is set to return to BBC One with a fresh lineup that includes one of Britain's most celebrated music stars. The new series, premiering in January 2026, will see rapper and entrepreneur Tinie Tempah take a seat as a guest Dragon, bringing his unique business acumen to the Den.
A New Dragon from the Music World
Tinie Tempah, famed for his 2010 UK number one single 'Pass Out', will join the show's seasoned investors. He is one of the most successful British rappers in history, with seven UK number one singles and three Top 10 albums to his name. His business interests, however, extend far beyond the recording studio.
Born in Woolwich, South London to Nigerian parents, Tinie has often credited his upbringing for his strong work ethic. His entrepreneurial portfolio includes ventures in food, fashion, and property. He co-founded the company Disturbing London in 2007 and later established the creative agency Imhotep, which has worked with major brands like Nike and Google.
In 2017, his contemporary menswear label, What We Wear, debuted at London Fashion Week. More recently, in 2025, he founded his own record label, Imhotep Records.
Who Else is in the Den?
The new series will welcome back the show's resident Dragons: Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett. They will be joined by a rotating cast of high-profile guest investors.
Alongside Tinie Tempah, returning football legend and entrepreneur Gary Neville will be back in the Den. They will be accompanied by new guest Dragons Jenna Meek, CEO of REFY, and Susie Ma, founder of Tropic Skincare.
Each episode will feature one of these four guest stars sitting alongside the regular panel, ready to scrutinise a new wave of business pitches. The show follows major successes like last year's deal where two school friends secured a £165,000 investment after being told they'd be bankrupt by 30.
How and When to Watch
The brand-new series of Dragons' Den kicks off with seven new episodes. The first will air on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Further episodes are scheduled to follow later in the year. All episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer after broadcast.
