Steven Bartlett Faces Intense Criticism Over Incel Remarks on Popular Podcast
Steven Bartlett, the prominent entrepreneur and Dragon's Den investor, has found himself embroiled in significant controversy following contentious comments made during an episode of his widely followed podcast, Diary Of A CEO. The 33-year-old business mogul, who launched the podcast in 2017 and has built it into a platform reaching approximately three million daily listeners and viewers, is facing mounting criticism for his discussion about society's potential role in addressing male loneliness.
Controversial Suggestion About Incel Intervention
During a conversation with psychologist Dr Alok Kanojia, Bartlett explored the growing epidemic of male loneliness, specifically addressing the phenomenon of involuntary celibate men, commonly referred to as incels. The discussion took a controversial turn when Bartlett posed the question of whether society should implement systems to help these men find romantic partners. He expressed concern about disillusioned men becoming resentful and gathering in isolated online communities, suggesting that intervention might be necessary to "course correct" the situation.
This episode has rapidly gained attention across social media platforms, with many critics accusing Bartlett of promoting problematic viewpoints that place undue responsibility on women to solve men's social difficulties. The backlash represents the latest in a series of controversies that have followed Bartlett since he rose to prominence as the youngest Dragon investor in early 2022.
Content Creator Delivers Scathing Critique
Content creator Shabaz Ali has emerged as a prominent voice in the criticism, receiving substantial celebrity support after publishing a detailed analysis of what he perceives as a troubling shift in the podcast's content. Ali humorously suggested the show should be renamed "Therapy for Men, sponsored by Women Ruin Society," highlighting his concern that the platform has increasingly focused on blaming women for men's problems.
Ali acknowledged the genuine issues surrounding men's loneliness and mental health but expressed alarm at what he described as the podcast's tendency to provide "a ring light and a hug" to manosphere ideologies. He specifically criticised the lack of substantive challenge to guests making controversial claims, noting that calm delivery and therapeutic aesthetics don't validate questionable arguments. According to Ali, this approach has led many to view Bartlett as a "Trojan horse" for problematic ideas that might otherwise be dismissed if presented more aggressively.
Celebrity Reactions and Growing Disappointment
The criticism has resonated with several notable figures, including former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse, who commented that she was once an avid listener but now finds Bartlett "disappointing in many ways." Television personality Vicky Pattison described Ali's critique as "insightful, powerful and beautifully articulated," while Ulrika Jonsson simply added "Amen" in support.
BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James offered particularly pointed criticism, referencing previous episodes featuring questionable health claims that went unchallenged. He mentioned an episode where a guest suggested autism could be reversed through diet and another promoting the theory that COVID-19 was an engineered weapon, noting that neither claim received proper scrutiny from the host.
Podcast Defends Its Format and Approach
A spokesperson for Diary Of A CEO has defended the podcast's format, emphasising that it is designed as a long-form conversational platform to explore guests' perspectives without necessarily endorsing their views. The statement clarified that inviting guests represents "an act of inquiry, not endorsement," and that Bartlett does not adopt his guests' opinions. The spokesperson further challenged characterisations of the podcast as promoting right-wing manosphere content, pointing to recent interviews with prominent figures including Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, and Gavin Newsom as evidence of political diversity.
History of Controversial Health Claims
This incident follows previous controversies surrounding health misinformation on the podcast. In 2024, Bartlett faced condemnation from medical experts after episodes featured guests making potentially dangerous claims about cancer treatment and COVID-19 vaccines. A BBC World Service investigation analysed 23 health-related episodes and found that 15 contained an average of 14 harmful claims contradicting established scientific evidence, typically presented without adequate challenge from the host.
Notable examples include guests promoting unsubstantiated theories about ketogenic diets curing cancer, questioning vaccine efficacy, and making questionable fertility claims based on body types. While Bartlett's professional life faces increasing scrutiny, his personal life appears more settled, with the entrepreneur recently announcing his engagement to Melanie Lopes after a romantic Christmas proposal in Morocco.
As Bartlett prepares for wedding planning alongside his continued role on Dragon's Den and podcast production, the controversy highlights ongoing debates about media responsibility, platforming controversial viewpoints, and the ethical considerations surrounding popular podcasts that blend business, wellness, and social commentary.
