The BBC has reinstated a recent episode of Dragons’ Den on its iPlayer platform after temporarily taking it down for streaming. In this episode that originally aired on January 18th, businesswoman Giselle Boxer made bold claims about her recovery from myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E), which led to the creation of her brand, Acu Seeds, using methods such as “diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and ear seeds.” Giselle’s statements caused significant controversy, prompting Action for ME to write an open letter to two House of Commons select committees expressing concerns that her pitch implied her product was a cure for her recovery, potentially misleading viewers.

On January 25th, the BBC removed the episode featuring Giselle from iPlayer, stating, “We’re taking the concerns raised seriously, so we are reviewing the episode and therefore it’s currently not available on iPlayer.” However, as of Monday morning, January 29th, episode three of the 21st series of Dragons’ Den is once again accessible on iPlayer, albeit with modifications. The broadcast now begins with a warning, cautioning viewers: “This programme has been edited since broadcast to clarify aspects of the Acu Seeds pitch. Advice should always be sought from a qualified healthcare provider about any health concerns.”

During the episode, a text disclaimer appears on screen as Giselle presents her business to the Dragons. It reads: “Acu Seeds are not intended as a cure for any medical conditions, and advice should always be sought from a qualified healthcare provider about any health concerns.”

Following the original broadcast on January 18th, it was revealed that the BBC had invited Giselle to appear on the show. She shared her journey with the Dragons, detailing how she developed her product after her diagnosis of ME at the age of 26. She stated, “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.”

Continuing her pitch, Giselle added, “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.” Giselle’s compelling pitch for her Acu Seeds product, a “DIY needle-free ear acupuncture for anxiety, migraines, hormonal issues, insomnia, weight loss, and more,” led to a historic moment on the show as all six Dragons made offers. She eventually chose Steven Bartlett as her investor.

Subsequently, ME campaign groups penned a letter addressed to Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, and Steve Brine, chair of the Health and Social Care Committee. In the letter, the groups expressed their concerns about the episode airing during primetime on BBC One, as they believed it promoted an “unfounded claim that this form of alternative medicine can cure ME.” They emphasised that there is currently no known effective treatment for ME and stressed the importance of seeking medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals based on evidence-based treatments. The letter urged broadcasters to ensure that their content is accurate and not misleading or potentially harmful.

Last week, before the BBC temporarily removed her episode from iPlayer, Giselle shared a clip of her Dragons’ Den pitch on her Acu Seeds Instagram page, captioning it with, “In case you missed the episode, here’s what went down. The last few days have been bonkers. Forever grateful for the love and support.” Steven Bartlett, the Dragon she chose as her investor, left a comment with three heart emojis. However, this led to backlash from an Instagram user who highlighted the importance of conducting clinical trials on ear seeds for ME treatment, emphasising the need for transparency and efficacy in healthcare products.