Get some backstory on how the dragons got to be ... well, Dragons!

The format for Dragons' Den was based on a Japanese show called Money no Tora (Money Tigers), which aired in 2001. The Japanese show's format was slightly different and featured a regular rotation of different business experts willing to invest their money.

Host Evan Davies made his name as the Economics Editor for the BBC's television news and as the presenter of BBC Radio Four's flagship early-morning politics program, Today. Davis is a graduate of Oxford University in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

The UK's version of the show spawned many different international versions in countries such as Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Nigeria.

The two longest-serving dragons on the panel are Peter Jones and Duncan Bannantyne. Peter made his fortune from the telecommunications industry - Duncan from creating a chain of health clubs. Duncan's personal wealth is currently estimated at £320 million, making him the 167th richest person in the UK.

One of Dragons' Den biggest success stories is the launch of Levi Roots' Reggae Reggae Sauce, a Jamaican-style sauce that Levi sold for many years at the Notting Hill Carnival. As a result of appearing on Dragons' Den, Reggae Reggae Sauce sells approximately 50,000 bottles each week all over the UK. Levi has expanded his range of products since appearing on the series, and has also writen a cookbook.

You don't have to walk away from the Dragons' Den with a big investment to turn your business into a success. The Tangle Teezer, a special hairbrush designed to smooth knotted hair and give extra shine to straight hair, was rejected by all five of the Dragons. However, shortly after appearing on the show, inventor Shaun Pulfrey managed to sell his invention to one of the UK's leading stores - and as a result, his business revenue has increased to nearly £1m per year.

Success hasn't always followed all of the Dragons. Rachel Elnaugh was the sole female Dragon for the first two seasons of the show. She made her fortune creating a business called Red Letter Days, which provided unusual days out that could be purchased as gifts - such as parachute jumping and driving high performance motor vehicles. Unfortunately the business collapsed in 2005.