Published: January 7, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett has made his first public appearance since his engagement to fiancée Melanie Lopes was made public.
The Diary of CEO host had the tables turned on him when he was a guest on Maggie Sellers Reum’s Hot Smart Rich podcast.
His appearance wasn’t altogether surprising as it followed a seven-figure investment by Bartlett’s media and investment group FlightStory in December.
In addition to discussing his philosophies on business, the 33-year-old opened up about his personal life and relationship with fiancée Melanie.
Lopes shared a photo of her sparkler on Instagram.
Bartlett labelled the idea that you don’t ‘need’ anyone as a ‘psychological trap’ created by modern culture and social media.
He described his own relationship with his fiancée as the ‘base camp’ that provides the emotional safety net required to take massive professional risks.
Bartlett also spoke out the power of 1 per cent marginal gains; the quitting framework; the importance of culture; and his quest to turn his new business Steven.com into the ‘Disney of the creator economy’.