Steven Bartlett, host of the popular podcast Diary of a CEO, has been criticised by health experts for amplifying harmful health misinformation. An investigation by the BBC World Service found that guests on the podcast made unfounded claims, including that cancer can be treated with a keto diet and that evidence-based medication is 'toxic'.
Experts warned that such assertions could have serious consequences for severely ill patients, potentially discouraging them from following proven treatments. The BBC analysed 15 health-related episodes and found an average of 14 harmful health claims per episode that contradicted scientific evidence.
Heidi Larson, an expert in public confidence in healthcare, told the BBC that the guests were 'way overstretching' and that their claims could send people away from evidence-based medicine. In one episode, Dr Thomas Seyfried compared modern cancer treatments to 'medieval cures', while in another, Dr Aseem Malhotra claimed the Covid vaccine was a 'net negative for society'.
Flight Studio, the podcast production company owned by Bartlett, defended the show, stating that guests are offered 'freedom of expression' and are 'thoroughly researched'. They noted that the BBC looked at only 15 of nearly 400 episodes, calling the reporting 'disappointing and misleading'.
This is not the first controversy for Bartlett; in August, two adverts featuring his endorsements for diet app Zoe and supplement Huel were banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for being misleading, as he failed to disclose his financial interests in the companies.
