Steven Bartlett, the host of the popular podcast Diary of a CEO, has found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy, with past remarks about his fiancée resurfacing alongside criticism of his recent comments on incels. The 33-year-old entrepreneur, who shot to fame as the youngest Dragon on Dragons' Den, is facing scrutiny over both personal revelations and professional missteps.
Personal Revelations and Relationship Struggles
In a 2023 episode of his podcast, Bartlett opened up about a painful moment in his early relationship with his now-fiancée, Melanie Lopes. He recounted being in bed with her in Paris during their twenties when she told him she no longer enjoyed having sex with him. Bartlett described feeling "emasculated" and "bad in bed," leading to their temporary split in 2017.
The couple, both aged 33, have since reconciled and became engaged over Christmas during a holiday to Morocco. Bartlett reflected that through time apart and growth, they worked through intimacy issues rooted in Melanie's past experiences, rather than a lack of desire.
Melanie Lopes: A Spiritual Counterpart
Melanie, originally from Bordeaux, France, maintains a distinct lifestyle from Bartlett's business-focused world. With 141,000 Instagram followers, she sells retreats featuring "breath work" workshops and speaks three languages. A source told The Sun that despite their differences—Melanie being "incredibly spiritual" while Bartlett faces accusations of being "problematic"—they've made their relationship work after a "false start" a decade ago.
"Those close to her have questioned aspects of their relationship – in particular, where she aligns herself when it comes to some of his more polarising opinions," the source added, noting that the relationship allows her to travel and pursue passion projects.
Podcast Controversy and Incel Comments
Bartlett's personal revelations have emerged alongside fierce criticism of his podcast's content. During a discussion with psychologist Dr Alok Kanojia about the male loneliness epidemic, Bartlett suggested society should "intervene" to partner incel (involuntary celibate) men with women, asking: "Should society intervene to course correct that put systems in place to make sure that those men meet partners?"
This comment sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing the podcast of promoting anti-women narratives. Content creator Shabaz Ali garnered celebrity support after criticising the show, joking it should be renamed "Therapy for Men, sponsored by Women Ruin Society." Ali argued the podcast has shifted from business and mindset topics to blaming women for men's problems, platforming controversial views without challenge.
Celebrity Backlash and Support
Shabaz Ali's critique received support from several celebrities, including:
- Oti Mabuse, who commented: "He’s so disappointing in many ways. I used to love it so much."
- Vicky Pattison, who called it "insightful, powerful and beautifully articulated... he's really disappointing."
- Radio 1's Greg James, who noted: "It’s been hurtling towards this dangerous s***e for ages."
A spokesman for Diary of a CEO defended the format, stating: "The Diary Of A CEO is a long-form, conversational podcast designed to explore the perspectives and experiences of its guests in their own words. Inviting a guest is an act of inquiry, not endorsement." They added that the podcast features guests across the political spectrum, including Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris.
History of Controversial Content
This incident marks the latest in a series of controversies for Bartlett. In 2024, he was condemned by health experts for hosting guests who made unsubstantiated claims, such as cancer being treatable by keto diets and COVID-19 vaccines being a "net negative for society." A BBC World Service investigation found that 15 out of 23 health-related episodes contained harmful claims against scientific evidence, often presented without challenge.
Notable controversial guests have included:
- Jason Fung, who promoted intermittent fasting with disputed evidence.
- Gary Brecka, who made unverified claims about predicting death and Alzheimer's.
- Bryan Johnson, who advocates extreme anti-ageing regimens without scientific backing.
Despite the backlash, Bartlett's podcast remains hugely popular, reportedly reaching three million daily listeners and viewers. However, the combination of personal disclosures and professional controversies has placed the host under unprecedented scrutiny, raising questions about the responsibility of platform holders in challenging potentially harmful narratives.
