BBC pulls Dragon's Den episode amid investigation into serious claims
26.01.2024 - 09:35
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The BBC has pulled an episode of Dragon's Den while it investigates concerns which were raised over a featured product.
Campaigners have said businesswoman Giselle Boxer made "unfounded claims" during her appearance on the show over her myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) product. During the episode, Ms Boxer said she used "diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and ear seed" to aid her own recovery from ME which she developed into the Acu Seeds brand.
In the episode, featured in the show's 21st series, Ms Boxer secured an investment from entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett. However, an open letter, organised by Action for ME, to the chair of two House of Commons select committees said it was "very concerned" in how Ms Boxer delivered her pitch and considered the product "an effective treatment", Wales Online reports.
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On Thursday, a BBC spokesperson said: “We’re taking the concerns raised seriously, so we are reviewing the episode and therefore it’s currently not available on iPlayer.” The broadcasting company previously defended the programme, stating it "features products from entrepreneurs and is not an endorsement of them”.
ME is a long-term condition that presents a wide range of symptoms such as extreme tiredness, sleep issues, and concentration problems. The NHS states that there is currently no cure for the condition, however there are treatments that may help manage it.
During her appeareance on Dragon's Den, Ms Boxer told the investors that she established the brand after seeking treatments for ME which she was diagnosed with 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