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An episode of Dragon’s Den that led to complaints that it promoted “unfounded” claims about the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, has been edited and restored to the iPlayer after being pulled from the platform, the BBC has said.

A statement on the corporation’s website, said “a clarification has been added to the programme on the streaming platform to address the concerns raised.”

A text message appears on screen during the show, as businesswoman Giselle Boxer pitches her Acu Seeds business, which reads: “Acu Seeds are not intended as a cure for any medical condition and advice should always be sought from a qualified healthcare provider about any health concerns.”

In the episode, which first aired on 18 January, Ms Boxer said she had used “diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and ear seeds” to help her recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome, known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME.

Her experience with ear seeds – tiny needle-free acupressure devices – prompted her to develop her brand Acu Seeds, which received offers from all six of the Dragons, a record achievement in the show’s history.

There are usually five Dragons in the Den. The current regular line-up is Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett. But for the Acu Seeds episode, Gary Neville – the ex-footballer, pundit and businessman – had joined the panel as a guest Dragon.

A disclaimer on Acu Seeds’ website said the product is not used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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Proponents of ear seeds say they stimulate pressure points in ears.

The NHS said there is currently no cure for ME, a long-term condition with symptoms including exhaustion, insomnia and struggling to concentrate, but some treatments may help manage it.

Action for ME sent an open letter to the chairs of two House of Commons select committees that said they were “very concerned” about the way in which Ms Boxer’s pitch was presented.

The group said the comments made suggested the product was “responsible for her recovery and should therefore be considered an effective treatment”, but “sadly, there is currently no known effective treatment for ME.”

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The group said on social media that it had also written to BBC director-general Tim Davie to voice its concerns about the episode.

On Friday, the BBC defended the inclusion of the business after receiving complaints, saying products being featured on the programme “should not be seen as an endorsement of them”.

However, the corporation said it was taking the concerns raised seriously and the episode would not be available on iPlayer while it was being reviewed.

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Meghan speaks about difficulties balancing business and motherhood

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Meghan speaks about difficulties balancing business and motherhood

The Duchess of Sussex has spoken about the challenges of balancing being an entrepreneur and a mother.

Meghan, speaking on the final episode of her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, made the comments while talking with her guest Sara Blakely – mother of four children, and founder of shapewear brand Spanx.

She said to Blakely: “The amount of what you have created, evolved through – the level of what you have done while having this many children, all at that age. It’s something that I think people often forget.”

Reflecting on her own experiences, Meghan said: “People forget that Lili is three, and Archie is five.

“So you look at the past five, six years of my life, it’s yes, with being pregnant or with a newborn or with a toddler, and then another one.”

Meghan has previously revealed that she has an “amazing” nanny, who has been with the family for five years.

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Alongside Prince Harry, the duchess stepped back from her duties as a senior working royal in 2020 – before starting a new life in the US.

Since then, she has launched her own brand, As Ever, a “curated collection” of products inspired by her “long-lasting love of cooking, entertaining and hostessing with ease”, according to the website.

She has, alongside Harry, also worked on Archewell, which includes the couple’s non-profit charitable organisation and their for-profit media production business.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
Pic: Jenna Peffley/Netflix
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Meghan, recently launched her Netflix show With Love, Meghan
Pic: Jenna Peffley/Netflix

In conjunction with her new business venture, Meghan launched her Netflix show With Love, Meghan – a lifestyle show where the duchess would invite friends and famous guests, and shared cooking, hosting, and gardening tips.

Her podcast followed shortly afterwards.

Meghan also discussed a “guilty mentality” facing female chief executives who have a lot of money.

She said: “I think so many women, especially, were taught to not even talk about money. And there’s lots of guilt mentality surrounding having a lot.”

“It wasn’t until the 70s that women could even have a credit card, a line of credit on a credit card without her husband.”

The discussion, which was wide-ranging in nature, also foregrounded the importance of self-care.

“I remember my acupuncturist in the UK said to me, and it has always stayed with me, he said, if the baby’s crying, treat the mother.

“It all starts with us. Good Lord, we have to take care of ourselves first.”

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Gary Lineker bows out from Match Of The Day

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Gary Lineker bows out from Match Of The Day

Gary Lineker bid a tearful farewell to Match Of The Day as he presented the show for the final time.

The ex-England striker, 64, announced his departure earlier this month after sharing a social media post from the Palestine Lobby group titled: “Zionism explained in two minutes.”

The Instagram post was illustrated with a rat, which has been used to represent Jewish people in antisemitic propaganda – including Nazi Germany.

Lineker “apologised unreservedly” for sharing it, saying he was unaware of the reference and it was a mistake. He maintained the importance of “speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza”.

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Watch: Lineker confirms BBC exit

Presenting his final Match Of The Day alongside regular colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker did not directly address the circumstances of his departure during the programme.

“It wasn’t meant to end this way,” he quipped in his opening line, continuing: “But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about.”

Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle secured the remaining places in Europe’s elite competition.

After running through highlights of all 10 games from the final day of the Premier League season, Lineker thanked his fellow pundits, viewers and those who work behind the scenes, before wishing good luck to his replacements.

Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates will take on presenting duties for the 2025-26 campaign.

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Lineker leaves BBC: Timeline of events

‘It has been so special’

Lineker wiped away tears at the end of the show, having been played a montage of messages including from Richards, Shearer, Ian Wright, Alan Hansen, Paul Gascoigne, Pep Guardiola, and Claudio Ranieri.

Italian manager Ranieri led Lineker’s beloved Leicester City to the Premier League title in 2016, which memorably saw the BBC’s highest paid star present an episode of Match Of The Day in a pair of boxers.

He had promised to appear on the show half naked if Leicester won the league.

Lineker started presenting Match Of The Day back in 1999, and has also fronted the BBC’s coverage of World Cups, Euros tournaments, and the Olympics.

“It has been so special,” Lineker said as he signed off, “and I am sorry that your team was always on last.

“Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.”

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Urdd Eisteddfod: Why Strictly star Amy Dowden is supporting Welsh festival that is ‘like Britain’s Got Talent’

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Urdd Eisteddfod: Why Strictly star Amy Dowden is supporting Welsh festival that is 'like Britain's Got Talent'

Thousands of people are expected to attend Port Talbot this weekend as the town gears up to welcome an annual Welsh festival.

The Urdd Eisteddfod is a celebration of Welsh culture when children and young people up to the age of 25 take part in a variety of competitions.

There are 400 of them in total, including singing, reciting poetry and dancing.

The Urdd organisation itself was established more than a century ago in 1922, with the aim of giving children and young people in Wales the opportunity to learn and socialise in the Welsh language.

Its six-day Eisteddfod is held during May half-term and in a different part of Wales each year.

The Urdd Eisteddfod broke its own records last year, with more than 100,000 registrations to compete.

A choir competes at the 2024 Eisteddfod yr Urdd in Meifod, Powys.  The annual youth festival is Europe's largest touring youth festival. Pic: Urdd Gobaith Cymru
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A choir competes at the 2024 Eisteddfod yr Urdd. Pic: Urdd Gobaith Cymru

Margam Park is home to this year’s event – the first time since 2003 that it’s played host.

Among the main prizes up for grabs this year are the chair (awarded to the main poetry competition winner) and the crown (awarded to the main prose competition winner).

This year’s crown and chair have been made using some of the final pieces of steel produced at Port Talbot steelworks before the closure of the blast furnaces last year.

The chair at the 2025 Eisteddfod yr Urdd was created using some of the last pieces of steel produced at the Port Talbot steelworks. Pic: Urdd Gobaith Cymru
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The chair at the 2025 Eisteddfod yr Urdd was created using some of the last pieces of steel produced at the Port Talbot steelworks. Pic: Urdd Gobaith Cymru

The 2024 Eisteddfod yr Urdd "Maes" in Meifod, Powys.  The annual youth festival is Europe's largest touring youth festival. Pic: Urdd Gobaith Cymru
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Pic: Urdd Gobaith Cymru

There are some new additions to this year’s Eisteddfod, including awards for singing, musical theatre and acting, named in honour of Sir Bryn Terfel, Callum Scott Howells and Matthew Rhys.

Another new award – the Amy Dowden award for dance – will also be awarded for the first time this week.

Speaking to Sky News, Strictly Come Dancing star Dowden said it was a “real honour” to be supporting the next generation of dancers.

“The arts and the industry is tough, and I just hope that [the young people] can see that I’ve managed to push myself through it,” she said.

“I’ve worked hard, I’ve had a few challenges along the way. Hopefully I can help inspire them as well.”

Amy Dowden. File pic: PA
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Amy Dowden. File pic: PA

‘It’s like Britain’s Got Talent’

As a former competitor herself in what is one of Europe’s largest touring youth festivals, Dowden says she “couldn’t imagine [her] childhood without it”.

“I’ve loved Eisteddfods since I can remember. Every year at school I took part in everything, from the baking to the reciting poems, to the folk dancing, to the creative dancing,” she said.

“The Urdd Eisteddfod is literally like one big talent competition, it’s like Britain’s Got Talent.”

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The winner of the Amy Dowden award will get one-to-one sessions with her as part of the prize, as well as masterclasses at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

They will have the opportunity to perform on an international stage and also win a cash prize.

“I know from my dance training and everything, each of those is so beneficial to getting yourself to that professional level,” Dowden added.

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