Kelly Hoppen joins Dragons' Den panel

Interior designer and businesswoman Kelly Hoppen is to join the fearsome panel on TV's Dragons' Den.

Show bosses have signed up 53-year-old Kelly for the 11th series of the BBC2 show.

Kelly, who was awarded an MBE in 2009, runs her own firm as well as a design school and is famed for her use of taupe and beige colour schemes.

She has fronted a Channel 5 series and has written a number of books.

Producers are still to appoint a further Dragon after both Theo Paphitis and Hilary Devey left the show.

Kelly said: "I have always been passionate about championing entrepreneurs, so being able to take it to the next level by investing my money in innovative new businesses is very exciting.

"Having started my design business as a teenager, building a global brand through two recessions, I understand the reality of running a creative business.

"I'm looking forward to bringing a different perspective into the Den and to hopefully finding an undiscovered gem or two."

Executive producer of Dragons' Den, Ceri Aston, said: "Kelly is an exciting addition to the Dragons' Den line-up.

"With her creative energy, business acumen and acute sense of style, she embodies everything that's great about British design. I'm thrilled to have her on board."

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