Deborah Meaden

I hate getting things wrong and I hate failing. ”

I don't think I'm ruthless, but I'm very driven, irritatingly so. ”

Playing the piano was what I loved doing for myself, but as soon as it became a 'thing' that I was being pushed to pursue by my teachers, I rebelled. ”

Retirement has never, ever crossed my mind. And I honestly can't imagine when or why it would. If you're doing the thing you love, why on earth would you want to stop doing it? ”

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.' ”