Deborah Meaden

People think I am a workaholic but I just love business.

I am proud of the fact I would never tamper with my looks. I love the fact I have earned every line and wrinkle.

I love the full-on Hollywood glamour of the 1930s and '40s.

I love the ingenuity of British entrepreneurs.

Much as I'm loving the 'Strictly' experience, I'm sure I'll always be better known for my business career and my appearances on 'Dragons' Den' than I will for my cha-cha-cha or Viennese waltz.

When I sold Weststar Holidays, the idea was to take stock and stop and then decide in life - we were going to travel around the world or whatever we were going to do. After about two weeks my husband said to me, 'Oh for goodness sake Deborah, get yourself a business because this is driving me bonkers.'

I think the thing about business is that it's not completely separate to life. You're selling to people so it's all about life skills - and common sense.

I am a very loyal person and believe that people should be treated fairly in life.

I've got a lot of laughter lines. You don't get laughter lines on your face without having a lot of fun in your life.

I feel like the luckiest person alive. I spend my life doing the stuff I love. I'm surrounded by inventive people who are full of energy and life.

I would have liked children, but I am not all disappointed. I've had a lot of stuff thrown at me in life so I don't dwell on it.

People can be very serious with me, and expect me to be very businesslike all the time. So I have to help them get over that by showing them that I enjoy life.