Jamie Laing joins Dragons’ Den as Guest Dragon ahead of 2027 return

Jamie Laing is joining Dragons’ Den as a Guest Dragon for the first time when the BBC’s hit business series returns to BBC One and iPlayer in 2027, bringing his experience in entrepreneurship, broadcasting and consumer brands to the Den.

The entrepreneur, broadcaster and podcast host will join regular Dragons Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett, alongside returning Guest Dragons Susie Ma, Gary Neville and Jenna Meek, as a new series of business hopefuls pitch their ideas to the investors.

Key points

• Jamie Laing makes his Dragons’ Den debut: The Candy Kittens co-founder will appear as a Guest Dragon in the upcoming 2027 series.
• Susie Ma joins every episode: The Tropic Skincare founder will feature throughout the series alongside Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett.
• Gary Neville returns: The former footballer and businessman will take his place in the Den for a third series as a Guest Dragon.
• Jenna Meek is back: The REFY co-founder returns for her second season as a Guest Dragon.
• Dragons’ Den returns in 2027: The BBC series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with viewers able to add the show to their iPlayer Watchlist now.

Jamie Laing brings his business experience to the Den

Laing has built a diverse career spanning entrepreneurship, media, production and publishing. He co-founded confectionery brand Candy Kittens, which has grown into one of Europe’s fastest-growing confectionery businesses, and podcast production company Jampot Productions.

In 2025, Laing and the Candy Kittens Group acquired graze, expanding their presence in the food and consumer markets.

Away from business, Laing hosts the podcasts NewlyParents and Great Company. The latter explores the people, ideas and stories behind successful businesses.

His television credits include starring in and executive producing the Disney+ Original series Raising Chelsea with his wife, Sophie Habboo. He has also presented on BBC Radio 1 and competed on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2020.

Laing’s work extends beyond entertainment and business. In 2025, he raised more than £2 million for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day by completing five consecutive ultra-marathons, covering more than 150 miles over five days between London and Salford.

He is also the author of Boys Don’t Cry, a book examining the importance of open conversations about subjects men can often find difficult to discuss.

Speaking about his new role, Laing said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Dragons and meeting the entrepreneurs brave enough to step into the Den. Building businesses has been such a huge part of my journey, and I know first-hand what it feels like when people don’t believe in your idea, that sting stays with you. So I want to be the Dragon who does believe, who sees not only what’s possible in someone’s business even when others might not but sees the potential in the entrepreneur. There will always be challenges, mistakes and moments of doubt along the way, but they’re often the most valuable experiences you can have. I can’t wait to bring my own perspective to the Den, ask the right questions, share what I’ve learned, and help the entrepreneurs we meet take their businesses to the next level.”

Who else is joining Dragons’ Den in 2027?

Alongside Laing’s debut, the upcoming series will see a mix of familiar faces and established business leaders assess the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Susie Ma, founder of Tropic Skincare, will appear in every episode alongside the show’s three regular Dragons. Her business has an annual turnover of £68 million, according to the BBC announcement.

Gary Neville will return for his third series as a Guest Dragon, while Jenna Meek, co-founder of beauty brand REFY, is back for her second season. REFY has annual turnover exceeding £40 million.

Neville said: “This will be my third season in the Den and I love every minute of it. I can’t wait to get back in there with the Dragons. For me, it’s always been about the entrepreneurs – their ambition, their stories and, ultimately, whether they’ve got what it takes to build a great business. I’m excited to see who walks through those doors this season.”

Ma added: “I’m so excited to be returning to the Den! I enjoyed the experience so much last time – there’s nothing quite like meeting someone with a brilliant idea and the courage to put everything behind it. I know how powerful it can be when someone believes in you and your vision, and having the chance to give that same belief to another entrepreneur feels like a full circle moment for me. I can’t wait to see what the next round of entrepreneurs bring to the Den.”

Meek also shared her enthusiasm about returning, saying: “I’m so excited to be joining Dragons’ Den for the second season as a guest. The first season was such an incredible experience – from meeting so many inspiring entrepreneurs to hearing their ideas, stories and ambitions, and being able to support them as they build and grow their businesses.

It’s been amazing to see the energy, creativity and determination that goes into building a business, and I’m excited to be part of it all again. There’s so much to look forward to, and I know this is going to be a very exciting series. I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s coming.”

BBC bosses tease an exciting new series

Samantha Davies, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Entertainment, said the latest line-up would bring a mix of experience and fresh perspectives to the programme.

“This series sees one of the most exciting line-ups ever to enter the Den. Alongside our iconic Dragons Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett, we’re thrilled to welcome back fan-favourites Gary Neville, Susie Ma and Jenna Meek, who continue to shake things up with their fresh perspectives and fearless approach to investing. We’re also delighted to have Jamie Laing make his Den debut this series. He’s an exceptional entrepreneur with infectious energy and ambition, and we can’t wait for audiences to see what happens when he walks through those iconic lift doors.”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, added: “Dragons’ Den remains must-watch television because the ambition, risk and reward for the budding entrepreneurs are all very real indeed. Jamie Laing entering the Den as a Guest Dragon is an exciting prospect and he will be bringing a fresh perspective thanks to his experience of building a modern British business success story.”

The announcement comes as Dragons’ Den continues to attract audiences, with the programme recording 33 million viewer hours across all available episodes on BBC iPlayer year to date.

When does Dragons’ Den return?

Dragons’ Den will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027. The series is commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight for the BBC and produced by BBC Studios Entertainment in Glasgow, led by Creative Director Adeline Ramage Rooney.

Samantha Davies is Executive Producer, Martyn Bon is Series Producer, and Sarah Clay is Commissioning Editor for BBC Entertainment.

Viewers can add Dragons’ Den to their Watchlist on BBC iPlayer ahead of its return.

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