Celebrity interior designer on Dragons’ Den

Interior designer and businesswoman Kelly Hoppen is set to join the dreaded panel of TV's Dragons' Den. BBC bosses have signed up the 53-year-old, who was awarded an MBE in 2009 and currently runs her own décor firm as well as a design school. Hoppen is a celebrity in her own right, renowned for her use of taupe and beige colour schemes. She has fronted a Channel 5 series and has written a number of books. Hoppen told press: "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."