Steven Bartlett, star of Dragons' Den and host of the Diary of a CEO podcast, has been criticised by health experts for amplifying harmful health misinformation. An investigation by the BBC World Service found that guests on his podcast made unfounded claims, including that cancer can be treated with a keto diet and that evidence-based medication is 'toxic'.
The BBC analysed 15 health-related episodes and found each contained an average of 14 harmful claims that contradicted scientific evidence. Experts warned that such assertions could discourage listeners from seeking conventional medical treatment, potentially putting severely ill patients at risk.
In one episode, Dr Thomas Seyfried compared modern cancer treatments to 'medieval cures' and promoted the keto diet as a treatment. Another guest, Dr Aseem Malhotra, claimed the Covid vaccine was a 'net negative for society'. Heidi Larson, an expert in public confidence in healthcare, said the guests were 'way overstretching' and that their claims could send people away from evidence-based medicine.
Flight Studio, the production company owned by Bartlett, defended the podcast, stating that guests are offered 'freedom of expression' and are 'thoroughly researched'. They noted that the BBC focused on less than 4% of nearly 400 episodes, calling the reporting 'disappointing, misleading and frankly, disingenuous'.
This is not the first controversy for Bartlett. In August, two adverts featuring his endorsements for diet app Zoe and Huel supplements were banned by the advertising watchdog for being misleading, as he failed to disclose his financial interests in the companies.
