CEO, podcast host, author, investor, self-proclaimed Happy Sexy Millionaire... Steven Bartlett has never been short of accolades. His narrative is tight. Bartlett is the university dropout who grew up in financial hardship but made a million by 23.
Today, he’s the youngest investor to get a seat in the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and, over the years, Bartlett has gained a reputation as an entrepreneurial renegade and wellness guru. More than 10 million people download his cult podcast, Diary of a CEO, every month; his book of the same name – as well as his memoir, which really is titled Happy Sexy Millionaire – is a bestseller.
Forbes magazine valued his social media and investment empire at £71m when he was just 26 years old. He came from little and made a lot – a perfect rags-to-riches story. And yet...
People really don’t like Steven Bartlett. Like, huge swathes of people. They don’t like the way he speaks. Based on no intimate knowledge of him at all and just a feeling, all kinds of people will tell you they think he’s a “narcissist”, a ”grifter” “a hustler”.
“He’s a new-age hippy but made all his money in marketing and social media,” another posted recently. “He just promotes quacks and mad health theories,” says another. More gripes: “He lets people like Matt Hancock whinge to him about being in love on his podcast.” “He wears fancy clothing.” I just find him very smug.”
These are not unique opinions. In fact, social media platforms are full of them – last week more vehemently than most.
On Wednesday, Bartlett’s advertising deal with “nutritionally complete” food brand Huel and wellness programme app Zoe was sensationally pulled by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Denne historien er fra August 19, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 19, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tories have left the NHS in 'critical condition' says peer
Starmer says patients right to be angry’ over damning report
England's white-ball reset presents difficult challenge
The Bazball 2.0 white-ball venture has been confirmed for the start of 2025, but before that England take on Australia in a white-ball series packed into September.
Golden boots shine bright for Kane on winning night
He wore golden boots. And he has won them too of course. Three as the Premier League's top scorer, one for outscoring everyone else in a World Cup. It was a fitting way to mark Harry Kane's century of caps, though. Not the most fitting: that came after the presentations. England 2-0 Finland was Kane 2-0 Finland, a golden night for the golden boots.
Kane scores twice as he celebrates his 100th cap
As much as this match rightfully became about Harry Kane, there was something else it resembled as Lee Carsley’s England fluidly worked the ball to the centurion for his 67th and 68th international goals. It was like one of the top Premier League teams patiently moving a Championship side around until the gaps presented themselves.
Government in final stages of £500m Tata rescue deal
The government is working to finalise a rescue deal worth £500m for Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant this week, following the closure of its blast furnaces, according to reports. The package of support had been drawn up by the previous Conservative government.
Neil steps down as chair of Spectator after £100m sale
Political journalist Andrew Neil has resigned as chair of The Spectator after 20 years at the helm. Neil spoke of his great sadness” at stepping down after the immense privilege” of chairing the world’s oldest current affairs magazine. Financier and GB News investor Sir Paul Marshall becomes the 196-year-old magazine’s 14th proprietor.
Asos has revealed that fast fashion needs to slow down
The online retailer's new charge for serial returners has been met with uproar. But perhaps it should be a wake-up call if your cheap-clothing habit is that severe, writes Helen Coffey
Faulty connections make direct flights a good idea
\"The next SkyLine Shuttle will depart in zero seconds.\" That was one of many fibs I was told during a long, winding and annoying journey yesterday afternoon and evening from Tirana in Albania to London Heathrow.
TOE-TO-TOE COMBAT
It's hard to believe, but a small Derbyshire town has hosted one of the strangest competitive sports in the world for 50 years. Elizabeth McCafferty watches from the sidelines
Parents need to realise they play a role in kids' behaviour
We appear to be living in dark days for British children. Last month, a report by The Children's Society suggested that kids in the UK faced a \"happiness recession\".