Business tycoon and gym chain owner Duncan Bannatyne has called for “single sex spaces” in gyms across the country following today’s Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman.
Following concerns from campaigners that women’s rights had been watered down to appease trans activists, Britain’s top judges unanimously agreed that the terms “woman” and “sex” in gender legislation will only refer to a biological woman and biological sex.
The move has been lauded by several biological women’s rights advocates, particularly For Women Scotland, who spearheaded the calls for the courts to make the ruling.
Campaigners have also described it as a victory “for common sense”.
Among those commenting on the landmark legal decision was former Dragons’ Den star Bannatyne, the owner of his own chain of leisure centres, gyms and spas.
The issue of single-sex spaces has been a high-profile one of late. GB News’ very own Michelle Dewberry locked horns with Virgin Active over its policy towards female changing spaces, for instance.
I hope all gym owners will join me now in agreeing that single sex spaces for women means biological women. No gym should ever allow men into woman’s changing rooms.
— Duncan Bannatyne (@DuncanBannatyne) April 16, 2025
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Bannatyne has made his stance on the issue clear now that the ruling has confirmed women must be defined by their biological sex.
“I hope all gym owners will join me now in agreeing that single sex spaces for women means biological women,” Bannatyne penned on X.
“No gym should ever allow men into women’s changing rooms,” he continued.
The post on social media garnered plenty of attention from famous faces, including the aforementioned Dewberry.
Echoing Bannatyne’s point, the Dewbs & Co presenter wrote: “Men should never, ever have been allowed into single-sex spaces where women & little girls were naked.
“You all know my thoughts on this. It is WRONG. Worry not folks… I will be picking up the conversation with @VirginActiveUK & I will update you all. Watch this space.”
Athlete Sharron Davies also sided with Bannatyne, replying to his post: “Or swimming pools.
“I know of many women who have self-excluded from their beloved swimming sessions because they were scared of males being in their changing rooms.”
Political commentator Sophie Corcoran was also among Bannatyne’s supporters, adding: “Love this. Bannatynes has always protected women and ensured their gyms are a safe place for women – love their gyms.”
As the reverberations of the ruling continued in the hours after the decision, Bannatyne returned to the social media site to take aim at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The Labour leader famously floundered when he was grilled on what the definition of a woman was previously.
Bannatyne blasted: “Did our current Prime Minister once say that a woman can have a penis?
Saying “trans women are women” was never true in fact and now isn’t true in law, either.
A victory for all of the women who faced personal abuse or lost their jobs for stating the obvious.
Women are women and men are men: you cannot change your biological sex.
The era of… https://t.co/IKjTxwkgoB
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) April 16, 2025
“Will he now apologize to all women. When we say women we are referring to biological women & they don’t have penises.”
Starmer didn’t reply directly to Bannatyne’s taunt. However, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has shared her thoughts on the ruling.
Badenoch wrote on X: “Saying ‘trans women are women’ was never true in fact and now isn’t true in law, either.
“A victory for all of the women who faced personal abuse or lost their jobs for stating the obvious. Women are women and men are men: you cannot change your biological sex.
“The era of Keir Starmer telling us that some women have penises has come to an end.
“Hallelujah!” she signed off. “Well done @ForWomenScot!” (sic)