The Dragons

: Deborah Meaden; This British multi-millionaire launched her own glass and ceramics export company straight out of business college. Later, she set up one of the first Stefanel fashion franchises in the UK. Following that, she became Managing Director of her family's holiday park business Weststar Holidays. Deborah acquired the major shareholding in a management buyout and later sold the company in a deal worth £33 million whilst retaining a 23% stake.

: Duncan Bannatyne; A poverty-stricken childhood steeled Duncan's drive to make his fortune from an early age. He began his entrepreneurial life by trading in cars, but it was with an ice cream van that he changed the course of his life - setting out to become the king of the '99'. He then switched to nursing homes, becoming a multi-millionaire in the process. Since then Duncan has built up a chain of health clubs.; > READ DUNCAN BANNATYNE'S Q&A

: Theo Paphitis; Born in Cyprus, Theo came to England when he was six and was running the food shop at his north London school at 15. Starting out as tea boy at a City insurance broker, he found his flair for retail as a shop assistant at Watches of Switzerland. He rose through the ranks of the insurance industry and later turned to retail. He now heads up a 350 store chain and a group turnover approaching £250m.

: Peter Jones; Peter's entrepreneurial journey started early when, at the age of 16, he founded a tennis academy. He then set up a computer business and had various other business interests. At the age of 28, Peter joined corporate giant Siemens Nixdorf and ran its computer business in the UK. In 1998 he founded Phones International Group, a telecommunications firm that now generates revenues in excess of £200m.; > READ PETER JONES'S Q&A

: James Caan; Caan has been creating, building and selling businesses for over 20 years. In 1985, he set up the Alexander Mann Group, one of the UK's leading HR outsourcing companies, and achieved a turnover of £130 million before selling it to a private equity firm in 2002. He also founded an executive headhunting firm which he successfully expanded globally through its Humana International brand and grew to over 147 offices across 30 countries.

: Evan Davis; (Host); When he's not hosting Dragons' Den, Evan Davis is Economics Editor of the BBC. He has been a contributor to BBC1's The Ten O'Clock News and Radio 4's Today. He worked as the BBC's economics correspondent from 1993 to 1997 and as a major contributor to BBC2's Newsnight from 1997 to 2001.; > READ EVAN'S TIPS FOR THE PITCH

THE DRAGONS