Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO podcast faces questions over health claims

Dragons' Den entrepreneur Steven Bartlett is currently under scrutiny regarding his popular 'Diary of a CEO' podcast after a BBC News investigation highlighted concerns about health claims made by some guests.

The Manchester-based entrepreneur, who amassed his wealth after co-founding Social Chain and dropping out of university, has been criticised for potentially spreading harmful health misinformation through his podcast, as reported by City AM.

The BBC reported that guests on Bartlett's show have made assertions such as cancer being treatable with a keto diet instead of established treatments. An examination by the BBC World Service of 15 health-related episodes found each contained an average of 14 questionable health claims that contradicted robust scientific evidence.

Flight Studio, Bartlett's production company, defended the podcast, stating that guests are given "freedom of expression" and are "thoroughly researched".

A spokesperson for Flight Studio said, “The Diary Of A CEO (DOAC), is an open-minded, long-form conversation with world leaders, global experts, CEOs, athletes, authors, actors, and other individuals identified for their distinguished and eminent career and/or consequential life experience.

"Each guest episode is thoroughly researched prior to commission. DOAC offers guests freedom of expression and believes that progress, growth and learning comes from hearing a range of voices, not just those Steven and the DOAC team necessarily agree with.

"The BBC claims to have reviewed 15 specific episodes of nearly 400 published to date. For any reporting of DOAC to focus on less than 4% of episodes with an extremely limited proportion of guests - some of whom have featured on the BBC - to create a broader, and in our opinion, partial narrative is disappointing, misleading and frankly, disingenuous.”

Launched in 2017, the 'Diary of a CEO' podcast initially concentrated on business and entrepreneurship topics. In a recent interview with The Times, Bartlett projected that the podcast would bring in £20m by 2024.

Earlier in the year, promotional content featuring Steven Bartlett for nutrition firms Zoe and Huel was prohibited after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) determined they neglected to make clear their commercial ties with the famed entrepreneur. The ASA commented that adverts on Facebook seen in February "omitted material information" concerning their association with Bartlett, who holds an investor position in Zoe and directorial role at Huel.