Meaden: 'More to me than TV persona'

Deborah Meaden has said that there is more to her personality than the tough-talker she plays on venture-capitalist show Dragons' Den.

The panel member told The Sunday Times that she comes across as very to-the-point on screen because that is the nature of the programme.

Meaden said: "When someone asks me for £200,000 but can't be bothered to tell me what their turnover is, of course I give them a tough response.

"But there's more to me than that. I think my friends and family would say that I'm very loyal. If someone needs help, I don't do tea and sympathy, but I'm honest and practical - that's how I was brought up."

Fellow Dragon Peter Jones recently described Meaden as "lovely... vivacious, fun, chatty and great company", despite her "fiery" and "grumpy" image.