Kelly Hoppen joins Dragons' Den panel on BBC Two show

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Page last updated at 06:01 GMT, Tuesday, 19 February 2013

E-mail this to a friend

By Del Crookes
Newsbeat reporter

Kelly Hoppen received an MBE in 2009 for for services to interior design

Interior designer Kelly Hoppen is to join the panel on Dragons' Den.

The show's producers have signed up the 53-year-old businesswoman for the 11th series of the BBC Two show.

Kelly Hoppen, 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 also fronted a Channel 5 series, has written a number of books and used to date former Tottenham and Arsenal footballer Sol Campbell.

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

Kelly Hoppen 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."

Kelly Hoppen was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours list for her work as an interior designer.

She accepted £60,000 in damages in October 2011 from News International over phone-hacking.