‘She said I don’t like having sex with you’: Steven Bartlett branded now-fiancée Melanie Lopes ’emasculating’ after she left him concerned he was ‘bad in bed’ with her cutting comment when they split in 2017

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Steven Bartlett once shared that he felt insecure when his now-fiancee told him she wasn’t interested in sex anymore.

The host of The Diary Of CEO podcast, a 33-year-old man, is facing backlash for comments he made on his show. He’s been widely criticized for suggesting that society should actively help connect involuntarily celibate (incel) men with women.

After his 2017 breakup with Melanie, Steven publicly discussed their intimate life, claiming she had led him to believe he wasn’t a good lover.

Steven is back together with his fiancée, Melanie Lopes, who is also 33. He proposed to her over Christmas while they were on vacation in Morocco.

It was heartbreaking when they split up so soon after that really uncomfortable moment. He later admitted it really upset him – apparently, it happened while they were lying in bed together in Paris, and he just couldn’t shake it off. As a fan, it was just so sad to hear how much that one moment affected them both.

Steven first told this story on his podcast in 2023, when he was talking about a past relationship and difficulties with intimacy and communication.

He shared a story about early in his relationship, when he was in bed with his girlfriend in Paris and she told him she didn’t enjoy being intimate with him.

He said he was in his mid-20s and didn’t grasp what she was trying to say, which made him feel undermined and insecure.

They ended their relationship after talking things through, and he later realized this experience helped him grow emotionally and understand relationships better.

After talking more openly and having some time to reflect, they both gained a better understanding of sex, communication, and how her past shaped her feelings about intimacy. It turned out she wasn’t uninterested in sex, but rather had emotional barriers stemming from previous experiences, which they were eventually able to address together.

Steven previously kept his partner’s identity a secret, but they have now confirmed their relationship publicly.

Melanie, originally from Bordeaux, France, organizes retreats and shares them with her large Instagram following of over 141,000 people. She’s fluent in three languages and leads workshops on breathing techniques at these retreats.

According to a source speaking to the Sun, Melanie and Steven have very different lifestyles. He’s heavily focused on his career and has faced some controversy, while she prioritizes spirituality. This difference was a factor in their reconciliation.

Their relationship had a rocky beginning ten years ago, and Melanie once insisted it was over for good. However, she changed her mind, and they’ve managed to build a life together. Friends and family have sometimes worried about how she handles disagreements, especially when it comes to his controversial views.

People understand why she’s with him. Steven’s lifestyle allows her to travel frequently and pursue her creative interests, giving her the freedom to work on what she loves without being tied down.

The entrepreneur started a podcast in 2017 and has since spoken with many successful business leaders, experts, and celebrities. The podcast now reaches around three million people every day.

One particular episode recently gained negative attention after Steven proposed the controversial idea of actively pairing up men who identify as ‘incels’ with women, drawing significant criticism.

In a conversation with psychologist Dr. Alok Kanojia, they talked about the growing problem of loneliness among men. They noted that the ‘incel’ community – men who involuntarily remain celibate – faces a potential decline, as the group will naturally diminish if its members are unable to form relationships and have children.

He explained that many disappointed and frustrated men are turning to online communities and becoming resentful, potentially identifying with the ‘incel’ subculture.

Okay, seriously, shouldn’t someone be doing something to help these amazing guys actually find someone? It just feels wrong that incredible people are struggling, and maybe we need systems – like, helpful matchmaking or something – to make sure they get the chance to connect with their perfect match. I mean, it’s not just about them, it’s about potentially amazing relationships being missed! It feels like a problem we could fix if we just tried.

This is the newest in a growing list of problems, questionable statements, and scandals surrounding the host since he became the youngest investor on the Dragons’ Den panel in early 2022. These issues include accusations from a former coworker who claims there’s a lack of honesty within his business. You can find more details about this here.

Content creator Shabaz Ali received praise from celebrities for his humorous commentary on a podcast, playfully suggesting it should be called ‘Therapy for Men, sponsored by Women Ruin Society’.

Shabaz reflected that the podcast originally covered a range of topics – business, personal growth, and overcoming past trauma – with the overall goal of achieving financial success while prioritizing well-being.

‘However, there seems to be this shift where it’s become blame women for men’s problems.’

Responding to Steven’s remarks about incels, Shabaz acknowledged that loneliness and mental health issues are genuine concerns for men.

It’s also concerning when podcasts start to promote ideas from the ‘Manosphere’ by giving them a platform and presenting them in a calm, appealing way. Simply presenting harmful ideas gently or with good production value doesn’t make them any less problematic.

You often hear people claiming that modern feminism is to blame for declining birth rates, or that dating is difficult now because women expect more from potential partners.

People respond with enthusiastic agreement, like “Wow, that’s amazing, I want to hear more!” They don’t question it, ask for proof, or challenge its accuracy.

Many have compared him to a Trojan horse because his approach is very different from Andrew Tate’s usual aggressive outbursts. This feels more like a therapy session.

Shabaz argued the podcast wasn’t fair or objective, repeatedly presenting the same point of view.

He finished by saying he wasn’t dismissing anyone’s right to an opinion, but that real debate wasn’t happening. He believes repeatedly focusing on the same arguments isn’t helpful, particularly for women.

A representative for The Diary Of A CEO explained to the Daily Mail that the podcast is a lengthy, conversational show created to let guests share their stories and viewpoints directly.

Having a guest on a show or platform is simply an invitation to share their views, not a sign of agreement with them. Steven Bartlett doesn’t necessarily agree with what his guests say, and the point isn’t to approve or disapprove of their opinions.

It’s a mistake to think a show host should be held accountable for everything a guest says. That’s not how in-depth interviews work.

Responding to claims the podcast aligns with right-wing online communities, its creators stated that ‘DOAC welcomes guests with a wide range of political and cultural viewpoints.’ They highlighted recent interviews with prominent figures like Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, and an upcoming conversation with Zohran Mamdani as evidence.

‘The podcast’s archive is a matter of public record and disproves this claim instantly.’

Shabaz received a lot of encouragement from famous people who follow him, including Oti Mabuse, who shared that she used to listen to the podcast.

‘He’s so disappointing in many ways,’ she commented. ‘I used to love it so much.’ 

Vicky Pattison praised the statement as thoughtful, strong, and well-written, but expressed disappointment with the person who made it. Ulrika Jonsson simply agreed, saying ‘Amen’.

Ferne McCann showed her support by reacting with clapping emojis. BBC radio DJ Sara Cox used praising hands emojis, and Charlotte Chilton from The Traitors simply commented ‘Haha love this’.

Radio 1’s Greg James penned: ‘It’s been hurtling towards this dangerous s***e for ages. 

I’m curious, what’s everyone’s favorite episode? I particularly remember one where someone falsely claimed autism could be cured with diet, and another that suggested COVID-19 was deliberately created as a weapon. It was concerning that neither of these claims was questioned on the show.

‘I’ll be raising a refreshing glass of Huel to him this evening.’

A podcast representative previously explained to The Mail on Sunday that Steven Bartlett doesn’t necessarily agree with the views of those he interviews, and the show isn’t meant to criticize anyone’s personal beliefs.

The Daily Mail has contacted Steven’s representatives for comment. 

Yet this isn’t the first time Steven has been accused of sharing harmful information. 

I was really disappointed to learn that in 2024, Steven’s podcast was criticized by leading health professionals. They felt he was spreading dangerous advice that could actually harm people battling cancer, and it’s just so upsetting to think about.

Podcast guests asserted that a ketogenic diet could treat cancer, and also expressed the opinion that the COVID-19 vaccine ultimately harmed society.

Critics have strongly condemned the celebrity for not challenging these debunked assertions, which they say has fostered skepticism towards established medical practices.

A BBC World Service investigation also checked how accurate the health advice was on the Diary of a CEO podcast.

A review of 23 health podcasts revealed that 15 of them included an average of 14 inaccurate claims, meaning the information shared contradicted scientific findings.

The misinformation was allowed with ‘little to no challenge’ by the entrepreneur.

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2026-01-21 15:23