Steven Bartlett is once more in hot water after making a strange comment about flying his UK-based barber across the pond for a simple haircut.
The Dragons’ Den star, 33, has made a name for himself as a young entrepreneur who also hosts the popular podcast, Diary of a CEO, where he interviews high-profile figures about the world of business, productivity, and self-growth.
He’s grown in notoriety since becoming the BBC reality series’s youngest-ever investor after joining the show in 2022 and doesn’t hold back in his controversial takes.
In the past year alone, especially stemming from his podcast, he’s already had to face his fair share of scandals, from being accused of fuelling misogyny to his choice of guests, such as Ivanka Trump.
In the latest bout of criticism from his fans, many have taken issue with his blase confession regarding his recent haircut.
Last week, he dropped his interview with billionaire investor Jeremy Grantham, where they spoke about all things financial crashes and the future of AI.
At one point, talk turned to the differing quality of food between the US and the rest of the world, with Steven sharing disparaging remarks about the standards the North American country keeps.
‘I don’t quite think people in the United States realise the difference in the products they consume here versus other parts of the world.
‘Brits fly over here, and actually we had my barber Damon, and he flew over here to give me a haircut last week. He said. “Oh gosh, I don’t feel good”. He said: “I went and got some food here, I really just don’t feel good” and he says: “Every time I come over here I don’t feel good”,’ Steven recounted on the podcast.
Not only sharing that his barber flies over to the US to give him a trim, but that he has had multiple visits by this point.
Although it wasn’t the point he was making, listeners were quick to pick up on the casual mention of a transatlantic flight for a hairdressing job.
‘Great interview, but the “my barber flew out to give me a haircut” line is the douchiest thing I’ve ever heard,’ mfhr6650 wrote on YouTube.
“My barber flew here to cut my hair”. Brother, that makes you part of the problem,’ robragei8w added.
‘Did you seriously just say: “My barber flew in from the UK to give me a haircut?”‘ georgeisvold585 asked.
This guy is so out of touch,’ Anonp7g declared.
‘Great conversation, but “my barber flew over to give me a haircut…” talk about losing touch with reality…’ milesshellbourne394 echoed.
‘Did I hear “my barber flying over to give me a haircut?” I don’t think it is the best use of resources!’ Claude6310 explained.
‘Flying your barber for a haircut is the biggest sign of a bubble,’ kilany10 agreed.
The barbershop-based backlash comes just weeks after another comment he made about wine ruining his week was called out not only by fans but by celebrities themselves.
Last month, a 2025 clip from his podcast resurfaced in which he says that drinking two to three glasses of wine derailed three days of his life.
His remarks were labelled ‘nonsense’ and ’embarrassing’, with Vogue Williams joining in to take aim at the media personality.
Urging Steven not to focus on his health data so intensely because it seems he’s ‘not living his life’, she also noted on her podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me: ‘He said he had three glasses of wine, and it ruined his life because it made him not optimal for three days.
‘First of all, he said that he wasn’t able to podcast well, which I actually don’t agree with because I think when you’re hungover, you are on full fuego.’
She quipped jokingly: ‘I think you’re at your funniest when you’re hungover. I also think you’re at your best two drinks in. That’s when a human is at its best.’