The BBC has removed an episode of Dragons’ Den from iPlayer due to “serious concerns” following complaints from various ME (Myalgic encephalomyelitis) groups.
In the episode, which aired on January 18, businesswoman Giselle Boxer claimed she used “diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and ear seeds” to recover from ME, which prompted the creation of her brand Acu Seeds.
Action for ME penned an open letter to two House of Commons select committees expressing their concern that Boxer’s pitch suggested her product was responsible for her recovery. 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.”
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It had previously been revealed by The Mirror that the BBC had invited the guest onto the show to explain her product to potential investors. When she appeared on the show, Giselle explained that she was diagnosed with ME at 26.
(Image: BBC)
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.”
She continued: “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.” Her pitch for her Acu Seeds product, a DIY needle-free ear acupuncture kit, impressed all six Dragons.
After considering their offers, she chose Steven Bartlett as her investor. Following the episode, ME campaign groups penned a joint letter to Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, and Steve Brine, chair of the Health and Social Care Committee.
The groups expressed their concern about the episode, aired during primetime on BBC One, alleging it made “amounts to an unfounded claim that this form of alternative medicine can cure ME”. They added: “Sadly, there is currently no known effective treatment for ME.
(Image: BBC Studios/Simon Pantling)
“There has been a distinct paucity of research into this disease, compared to other long-term conditions, which means that ME is still without a cure.”
They urged people to only take medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals and ensure treatment decisions are evidence-based. The letter also stressed that broadcasters must strive for accuracy and avoid misleading or potentially harmful information.
Action for ME voiced its concerns about the episode to BBC Director-General Tim Davie via social media.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
