Steven Bartlett slammed after saying three glasses of wine 'ruined' his life
Ali Condon
Featured Image Credit: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile for Web Summit Qatar via Getty Images
Steven Bartlett is being hit with some serious backlash after claiming that having a few glasses of wine 'ruined three days of [his] life' because he slept worse, podcasted worse, and didn't get to the gym.
The Diary of a CEO host is no stranger to splitting opinions on his podcast, with guests joining him in the studio to speak about everything from AI to health to declining birth rates.
But a recently resurfaced clip from the podcast has sparked serious online debate after Bartlett, 33, told his guest Chris Williamson, 38, that three glasses of wine 'ruined' his life for a few days.
While many viewers are baffled by Bartlett's claim and have slammed him in posts across social media urging him to 'take a day off, mate', others have confessed they actually agree with the Dragon's Den investor.
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In the now-viral clip from his podcast episode with Williamson, Bartlett discusses his 'own relationship with drinking' and reveals that he stopped drinking alcohol at age 30.
“It’s one of those areas where you don’t understand the hidden cost until you really give it up for a while," he told the former Love Island contestant.
Bartlett explained that at age 31, he decided to try drinking again after being off the booze for a year, so he could 'AB test' his body's reaction.
“I had a year of not drinking, I decided to drink again... It ruined three days of my life," he claimed.
The entrepreneur explained that, while he didn't experience any direct impacts from the 'couple glasses of wine' - meaning he 'didn't get drunk' - he did feel that the alcohol 'ruined three days of his life because of the domino effect it caused."
He continued: “I got worse sleep that night, and then because I got worse sleep that night, I ate more poorly the next day because my dopamine system - whatever - the cortisol system was all messed up.
"And then I podcasted worse, I didn’t go to the gym… that day or the day after because I felt really bad. I then slept worse."
Bartlett noted that he was able to track his broken sleep on his Whoop watch - a product that the podcaster owns shares in.
"And I was like, ‘oh my god’, those three glasses of wine had this hidden domino effect that I must have been living with for my whole life.”
Naturally, the comments have ruffled some feathers, with lots of viewers taking to the comments to mock Bartlett for focusing on 'self-optimisation' rather than just... living.
Taking to X, one user commented: "This captures basically everything I hate about this sterile self-optimisation culture that seems to have forgotten the whole f***ing point of living."
Quoting Bartlett, another posted: "'I podcasted worse' has left me reeling. I've been sat on a park bench for an hour just trying to process it."
"I podcasted worse" has left me reeling. I've been sat on a park bench for an hour just trying to process it https://t.co/Plvaqon93S
— The Iain Duncan Smiths (@TheIDSmiths) May 23, 2026
It wasn't long before the clip went viral on TikTok, sparking debates across the video-sharing app.
Commenting on the footage of Bartlett, one viewer mocked: "I bet he's a blast at dinner parties."
A second simply insisted: "Have a day off mate."
Another comment jabbed: "Have a little discipline bro. You can totally keep your diet and go to the gym after two drinks. There are good reasons to quit drinking but this is a poor argument imo.”
While many viewers were eager to poke fun at Stephen's comments, others found themselves agreeing with the investor.
“Everyone is locked in on him exaggerating by saying “ruined life” yet missing the whole point of what he’s saying? It doesn’t matter if it’s just three days, it has a domino effect and it’s negative," one TikToker commented.
"I fear he is right," another agreed.
And a third shared: "I recently had this exact same experience. It’s incredible to realise the affect alcohol has on our systems. Yet throughout the world it is glamorised."
FOODbible has contacted Steven Bartlett for comment.
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.