Celebrity: Hoppen was awarded an MBE in 2009 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."