Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Gary Neville
Tom Jenkins
The BBC has been forced to remove an episode of Dragons' Den featuring Manchester United legend Gary Neville due to safety fears over a product which appeared on the show.
The group of multi-millionaires, which now include former England international Neville, were shown Giselle Boxer's 'ear seeds' business during her appearance on the program.
However, doubts about the efficacy of her product have since emerged, forcing the episode to be taken down.
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Boxer, from Sheffield, made headlines by etching her name in Dragons' Den history on the episode which aired on January 18. Stepping through the iconic lift doors, she received offers from all six Dragons - Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman, Steven Bartlett, Sara Davies and former United defender Neville.
During her pitch, she shared her personal journey, recounting how, at the age of 26 and while flourishing in a demanding role at a prestigious advertising agency, she was diagnosed with the debilitating condition known as M.E (myalgic encephalomyelitis).
According to the NHS , M.E, also recognised as chronic fatigue syndrome, which manifests as a "long-term condition with a wide range of symptoms", with extreme fatigue being the most prevalent.
Other symptoms include sleeping issues, cognitive challenges, prolonged recovery periods post-physical activity, and persistent tiredness despite significant rest.
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Some sufferers also experience muscle or joint discomfort, headaches, a scratchy throat, flu-like symptoms, dizziness or nausea, and irregular heart rhythms.
M.E is incurable and treatment only aims to relieve symptoms - with the NHS recommending that people try cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), energy management, and pain or sleep medication.
She said that doctors had informed her that she would never 'recover, work again or have children', prompting her to go on a 'personal healing journey' using diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and ear seeds.
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She said: "Ear seeds are an ancient Chinese medicine tool, based on the principles of acupuncture, but without the needles. They are tiny beads, which stick onto the ear, applying pressure onto nerve endings. They send signals to the brain and body to relax the nervous system, release endorphins and naturally relieve pain."
Boxer was seeking £50,000 investment in return for a 10 per cent stake in her business, Acu Seeds, but ended up agreeing a deal with Bartlett for a 12.5 per cent return.
However, Acu Seeds has since been reported to the Advertising Standards Authority, according to The Sun.
UK based charity Action for ME sent an open letter to the chairs of two House of Commons select committees explaining it was 'very concerned' about Boxer's promotion of her product, as it suggested that her ear seeds were 'responsible for her recovery and should therefore be considered an effective treatment'.
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The BBC has since removed the episode from iPlayer and is in the process of reviewing the claims.
A BBC spokesperson told LADbible: "We’re taking the concerns raised seriously, so we are reviewing the episode and therefore it’s currently not available on iPlayer."