Dragons' Den: Why this week is a repeat and when series 22 is coming back
By Helen Fear | Wed Mar 05 2025Dragons' Den fans might be feeling a bit miffed this week, as series 22 has disappeared without ceremony only to be replaced with a repeat!
Viewers expecting to see a new episode will be disappointed. So what's happened to the new series, and why is it a rerun this week?
Here's everything we know about the current series 22 of Dragons' Den, and when we'll be getting new episodes.
Why is Dragons' Den tonight a repeat?
Series 22 of Dragons' Den began on a high in January 2025 with the first guest of the season, Joe Wicks.
Subsequent episodes saw Trinny Woodall and Emma Glebe pop up in the Den. As usual, there were highs and lows for the business entrepreneurs brave enough to face some of the UK's richest millionaires.
Like previous seasons of the popular BBC One show, season 22 of Dragons' Den is 14 episodes. So why isn't episode 9 on tonight (Thursday, March 06)?
A BBC spokesperson told us: "It's a split series so will continue later this year with the last episode in this run Thursday last week."
This week's episode is a repeat from series 20. In it, a plastic-free soap brand hopes to clean up with potential investors Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett.
Plus, the entrepreneurs behind mouldable fixing sticks claim they have found an alternative to glue, a 15-year-old enters the Den to help pitch a football board game, and a micro-campervan business drives a hard bargain.
When is Dragons' Den series 22 coming back with new episodes?
The Beeb has decided to split Dragons' Den series 22 into two parts. Episodes one to eight have already aired.
That leaves episode nine to 14 to come. So when will the next six episodes drop?
The BBC has revealed that the series will continue later this year, although we don't know exactly when. This is the first time BBC One has aired Dragons' Den as a split series. Honestly, we're not quite sure why they've done it in favour of more repeats.
They are risking the wrath of Dragons' Den fans, who have already had cause to complain about format changes this year.
Format changes and 'celebrity' investors annoy fans
Some viewers aren't a fan of the guest investors and the tailored pitches that they bring...
Complaining on X, one disgruntled fan said: "I love this show but, why oh why, do we have to have these guest Dragons and tailored pitches? I really like Joe Wicks, but his presence ruined last night's episode like other guest Dragons have."
Another added: "What is up with the BBC that you think every programme has to include a 'celebrity'? It's lazy, annoying and counter productive."
A third added: "Get these guest Dragons off you will lose viewers."
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