Business
Steven Bartlett faces celebrity backlash over Diary of a CEO podcast comments
Steven Bartlett, the millionaire entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den investor, is facing mounting criticism from celebrities and content creators after comments made on his podcast, Diary Of A CEO, sparked accusations that he is amplifying misogynistic narratives under the guise of long-form discussion.
The backlash centres on a recent episode in which Bartlett, 33, discussed the so-called “male loneliness epidemic” with psychologist Dr Alok Kanojia. During the conversation, Bartlett questioned whether society should “intervene” to ensure so-called incel men, defined as involuntary celibates, are partnered with women in order to prevent resentment and social alienation.
“Should society intervene to course correct that, put systems in place to make sure that those men meet partners?” Bartlett asked during the episode, which has since circulated widely on social media.
The remarks prompted a strong response from content creator Shabaz Ali, whose critique of the podcast has since been shared and supported by a number of high-profile figures.
Ali argued that while men’s mental health and loneliness are legitimate issues, the podcast has increasingly “given manosphere ideas a ring light and a hug”, accusing Bartlett of failing to challenge controversial claims made by guests.
“This podcast used to be about business, mindset and healing responsibly,” Ali said. “Now it feels like it’s becoming about blaming women for men’s problems — without challenge, without evidence.”
He added that the format allows guests to make sweeping claims about feminism, dating and birth rates without scrutiny, describing the show as a “Trojan horse” for ideas that would be more obviously challenged if presented in a different tone or setting.
The criticism has attracted vocal support from celebrities and media figures. Sara Cox, Vicky Pattison and Ulrika Jonsson all publicly endorsed Ali’s comments, while dancer Oti Mabuse said she was “disappointed” after previously being a fan of the podcast.
Radio 1 presenter Greg James was particularly scathing, criticising past episodes in which guests made claims about autism, Covid-19 and diet-based health interventions that were not challenged during interviews.
Bartlett’s team has pushed back strongly against the criticism. A spokesperson for Diary Of A CEO said the podcast is designed as a long-form interview format intended to explore guests’ perspectives, not endorse them.
“Inviting a guest is an act of inquiry, not endorsement,” the spokesperson said. “Steven Bartlett does not adopt the opinions of his guests, nor is the format intended to pass judgment on personal viewpoints.”
They also rejected claims that the podcast aligns with right-wing or manosphere ideologies, pointing to guests from across the political spectrum, including Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom.
However, this is not the first time Bartlett has faced scrutiny over the content of his podcast. In 2024, he was criticised by medical professionals after guests made unchallenged claims about cancer treatments and vaccines. A BBC World Service investigation later examined 23 health-related episodes of the podcast, finding that 15 contained multiple claims that contradicted established scientific evidence, often with “little to no challenge” from the host.
Critics argue that the scale of the podcast, which is reported to reach millions of listeners and viewers daily, brings an added responsibility to interrogate claims more rigorously, particularly when discussing health, gender and social policy.
Bartlett, who rose to prominence in 2022 as the youngest-ever Dragon on Dragons’ Den, has previously positioned Diary Of A CEO as a space for “open, honest conversations”. The latest controversy, however, raises renewed questions about where the line lies between exploration and amplification — and whether neutrality is possible when a platform wields such influence.
Jamie Young
Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.
When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.
