Two controversial weight loss brands have merged, with Skinny Coffee Club acquiring Bootea.

Skinny Coffeem, which is endorsed by celebrities such as The Only Way is Essex’s Lauren Goodger, signed a deal to buy fellow weight loss brand Bootea for an undisclosed sum before Christmas.

Bootea, which has its detox teas listed in Boots and Holland & Barrett, will continue to be run as a separate brand, though its co-founders have departed on the sale.

Skinny Coffee Club CEO Steven Curran said: “We hope to expand the offering and continue to deliver outstanding customer service to both their retail and online customers.”

Bootea, which was created in 2012, saw its revenues almost halve in 2017 to £6.3m from £12.1m in 2016, while pre-tax profits dropped from £2.6m to £1.4m.

A number of detox tea products, many of which are promoted by online celebrities, have come under fire for the veracity of their health and weight loss claims.