BBC remove Dragons' Den episode from iPlayer after complaint from charity
Following concerns about a product
Last updated 26th Jan 2024
The BBC has removed an episode of Dragons' Den from iPlayer after concerns were raised over a product that featured on the show. In the episode, which was first aired on 18th January, businesswoman Giselle Boxer said that she had used 'diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and ear seeds' to help her recovery from ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis).
This had inspired her to develop the brand Acu Seeds, with her pitch receiving offers from all six Dragons and an investment from Steven Bartlett.
However, ME campaigners have raised concerns that 'unfounded claims' were made about the product and its effectiveness. In an open letter organised by the charity Action for ME, to the chairs of two House of Commons select committees, the charity said it was 'very concerned' that Giselle's pitch suggested that the product was 'responsible for her recovery and should therefore be considered an effective treatment'.
According to the NHS, ME, which is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term condition, with the most common symptom being extreme tiredness.
On the show, Giselle explained that she had developed Acu Seeds after being diagnosed with ME at the age of 26. She said: "Four years ago I was diagnosed with ME. I went from working in a top advertising agency with a busy social life and exercising regularly to being mostly housebound, unable to walk for more than five minutes without having to get back into bed.
"I was told by doctors that I would never recover, work again or have children. I went on a personal healing journey using diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and ear seeds. Using this combination, I believe, aided my recovery within 12 months."
A disclaimer on the Acu Seeds website reads: 'This product is not used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.'
The BBC has defended the decision to broadcast the episode which featured Giselle's speech, adding that it was not an endorsement of the product. A BBC spokesperson said: "We're taking the concerns raised seriously, so we are reviewing the episode and therefore it's not currently available on iPlayer.
"Dragons' Den features products from entrepreneurs and is not an endorsement of them. Dragons' Den shows real businesses pitching to investors to lift the lid on what happens in the business world.
"This episode features an entrepreneur sharing their own, personal experience that led to a business creation."
Meanwhile, speaking to the Mirror, Giselle has said that she was asked to appear on the show. She said: "Funnily enough they (the BBC) contacted me and I received an email from a researcher there, and I initially thought it was a spam email.
"We went through the different stages of the application process and there was so much due diligence and they really looked into every part of my business before I went in to pitch to the Dragons."
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