Kelly Hoppen feared 'failing' in Dragon's Den

Dragon's Den newcomer Kelly Hoppen has revealed she was initially reluctant to become a part of the show - because she did not want to be a failure on the show.

The 53-year-old interior designer, who is one of two new faces on the show along with businessman Piers Linney, will be seen on the panel for the first time when the eleventh series begins on Sunday night.

And she admitted: "I did the show because I run a big business and I didn't want to fail at something, I wanted to succeed.

"I'm also investing in other people's dreams and lives, so I want to put enough time into it. I did think about it but it didn't take long to say yes."

She added that despite her initial reservations she was not at all nervous when it came to filming.

"I was excited and had adrenaline," Kelly recalled. "I asked the other Dragons how I came across and they said I just fell into it.

"That was great because you want to ease your way into a very famous show. You don't want to stand out."

Meanwhile Kelly told the Sunday Mirror that she quickly settled in with her fellow panellists.

"It was enchanting how, as a new dragon, the others really took care of me," she admitted. "After the first pitch they were giving me feedback and telling me I'd done brilliantly well. By the eighth I was part of the wallpaper.

"We were spending hours in the den and then going out for dinner so you really get to know them. You really do feel like you're part of the Dragon family."