Ant Middleton has claimed that he was dropped from SAS: Who Dares Wins due to ‘butting heads’ with the team after he said it had become ‘more of a reality show’.
Speaking in a new interview, the 40-year-old adventurer, who was axed by Channel 4 on Monday due to his ‘personal conduct’, admitted he was ‘really disappointed’ over the way his exit has been ‘handled’.
It came as Ant was also forced to deny claims that he was dropped from the show for making ‘inappropriate’ comments to female staff which were subsequently investigated by channel bosses.
AXED: Ant Middleton has claimed that he was dropped from SAS: Who Dares Wins due to ‘butting heads’ with the team after he said it had become ‘more of a reality show’
Speaking to The Sun following his exit, Ant said that the earlier series were ‘simple’ and its core was to show ‘what Special Forces’ selection was’.
He added: ‘And I am sad to say that in recent years the producers of the show have drifted from this and it has become more of a reality show than I feel comfortable with.
‘I have decided to walk away from it, it is clear Channel 4 and I have fallen out over it and that is regretful. I have butted heads with some of the team but ultimately it is out of a passion for what I wanted to do and that’s make the best show possible.’
It was revealed this week that Ant had been dropped by Channel 4 due to his ‘personal conduct’, with the station claiming they will not work with him again. Ant is said to have learned of Channel 4’s decision to drop him on Monday.
‘Disappointed’: Speaking in a new interview, the 40-year-old adventurer, who was axed by Channel 4 on Monday due to his ‘personal conduct’, admitted he was ‘really disappointed’ over the way his exit has been ‘handled’
Speaking about the way his exit was ‘handled’, the adventurer continued: ‘I am really disappointed with the way that this has been handled, after working with them for five years I would have expected better.’
Ant said that he wishes nothing but the ‘best’ for the show in the future and that he is ‘very proud’ of what he has achieved with the series, adding that it has been one of his ‘favourite experiences’ of his career.
Despite being dropped by SAS: Who Dares Wins, the adventurer insisted that he is ‘genuinely very excited’ about his future and the year ahead.
MailOnline has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
Controversy: It came as Ant was also forced to deny claims that he was dropped from the show for making ‘inappropriate’ comments to female staff
On Tuesday, Ant also denied claims that he was dropped by Channel 4 bosses after making ‘inappropriate’ comments to female staff.
According to The Mirror, Channel 4 and Minnow Films investigated a number of complaints from female staff about comments from Ant that they deemed to be ‘inappropriate.’
The investigation led to a meeting between Ant and the network where they decided to cease working with him.
Channel 4 said: ‘We can’t comment on anonymous allegations, however, we take issues of welfare very seriously. We clearly set out our expectations of behaviour in our Supplier Code of Conduct. We are satisfied appropriate action has been taken.’
Minnow Films added: ‘The welfare of those working on our productions is of paramount importance. We have robust procedures in place to allow members of staff to come forward and confidentially raise any concerns.’
A representative for Ant denied The Mirror’s claims. MailOnline has contacted his representatives, as well as Channel 4, for comment.
‘Stay positive’: Ant took to social media and confirmed he would no longer be hosting SAS: Who Dares Wins and said he was excited about the future
It comes after Ant vowed to ‘stay positive’ as he broke his silence following the announcement he had been dropped by Channel 4 due to his ‘personal conduct’.
As Channel 4 stated they would never work with him again, the adventurer took to social media on Monday to confirm the news.
He wrote: ‘Hi guys, I’ve got some news which is that after 5 incredible years I’ve decided it’s time to move on from SAS Who Dares Wins UK.
‘Big respect to my fellow DS – its been a journey I’ll never forget. Thanks to everyone that took part and made the show what it is. Really excited about the future and what’s coming this year. Stay positive.’
A spokesperson for Channel 4 had earlier told MailOnline: ‘Ant Middleton will not be taking part in future series of SAS: Who Dares Wins.
‘Following a number of discussions Channel 4 and Minnow Films have had with him in relation to his personal conduct it has become clear that our views and values are not aligned and we will not be working with him again.’
Ant’s axing by Channel 4 comes after he sparked controversy by referring to Black Lives Matter protesters as ‘absolute scum’ last June.
Marred by controversy: The departure of the SAS: Who Dares Wins host comes months after Ant sparked controversy by referring to BLM protesters as ‘absolute scum’ (pictured 2020)
According to The Mirror, Ant has had further issues with the broadcaster over his views since then.
Ant is said to have learned of Channel 4’s decision to drop him on Monday.
Two series of SAS with the former soldier have already been filmed and will air this year but planned future series will not feature him.
MailOnline contacted representatives for Ant Middleton for comment at the time.
While Ant will not be returning to the UK’s SAS show, Australia’s Channel Seven has confirmed he will be returning to SAS Australia.
A spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Monday, that the former British Special Forces solider will return to the show as a chief instructor.
‘Ant Middleton and his fellow DS (Directing Staff), Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham, Jason Fox and Ollie Ollerton, will all be returning for the second season of SAS Australia which is currently in pre-production,’ a representative said.
It’s believed casting for season two of the military-style show has already begun.
The TV presenter was removed from Soccer Aid last August over fears his involvement would offend ethnic minority players.
Ant was also criticised last year for some of his posts about the coronavirus pandemic, saying in March he would carry on with life as usual during the outbreak.
A spokesperson said: ‘Following a number of discussions Channel 4 and Minnow Films have had with him in relation to his personal conduct it has become clear that our views and values are not aligned and we will not be working with him again’
Ant was reportedly forced to quit his role as the Royal Navy’s Chief Cadet after just nine months, after his controversial ‘scum’ tweet about Black Lives Matter protesters.
The TV tough guy, who took on the role in November, was said to have left his bosses furious after posting the since-deleted tweet, amid protests over racial injustice after the death of George Floyd in the US.
On June 14, Ant tweeted: ‘The extreme left against the extreme right. When did two wrongs make a right. It was only a matter of time. BLM and EDL are not welcome on our streets, absolute scum. What a great example you are to your future generation. Bravo.’
The tweet was in response to a video which claimed to be of ‘BLM/Antifa agitator hunting lone veterans and football lads in packs’.
Ant subsequently apologised, releasing a video message where he said: ‘I’d just like to clarify a tweet I’d put out at the weekend and deleted straight away once I’d re-read it and realised that it could cause offence.
‘I put out a tweet or retweeted a video of the violence, the terror and chaos that was happening on the streets of London.
Owning it: Ant previously admitted his controversial comments over coronavirus ‘backfired’ after he was criticised over his ‘outdated’ post amid the pandemic
‘Within that tweet I mentioned the BLM and EDL and the word ‘scum’. At no point was I calling the BLM scum and comparing the two organisations. I want to make that really, really clear.
‘The word scum was used to describe the people in the video that were violent, that were causing terror on the streets of London and setting a bad example for our future generations.’
He further clarified his comments in an interview with The Mirror, saying: ‘On Saturday night, I made comments about the violence breaking out across our streets.
‘While I remain dismayed at these actions, I am horrified to realise that my wording could be misconstrued. I did not mean to say that BLM are scum, or to imply that BLM and the EDL are equivalent.
‘I was trying to make a comment about violent protesters of any kind who I despise. I accept that my tweet was inappropriate and offensive and would like to apologise unconditionally. I am anti-racist, anti-hate and anti-violence.
‘I believe in the right to protest, but change must come about through peaceful and legal means.’
In June, Channel 4 had set out a ‘new and clear commitment’ to be an anti-racist organisation and said Ant’s tweet ‘in no way represent the views of Channel 4’.
In March 2020 the former solider took to Instagram to announce that he was continuing on with life as usual during the outbreak and ended his video recording with the terse statement: ‘F**k COVID-19.’
Ant revealed once lockdown hit his post ‘crashed’, as followers turned on him for encouraging people to go about their business.
Ant later admitted that his comments were wrong and told Good Morning Britain hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: ‘I went from hero to zero’.
Explaining that he felt ‘sheltered’ from the virus when he made the comments and never expected the global outbreak of the deadly virus.
He said: ‘Some of my controversial quotes on social media were in the moment. I was in New Zealand sheltered from the coronavirus.
Holding my hands up: Ant has since admitted that his comments were wrong and told Good Morning Britain hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: ‘I went from hero to zero’
‘When it comes to a global pandemic which I didn’t know was going to happen, that came and bit me in my behind. Sometimes I get it wrong and put my hand and up said look my information was wrong.’
‘Everyone was like, Ant we agree with you and then lockdown came and the pandemic hit and that Instagram post was outdated, it crashed really quickly. I went from hero to zero.’
Ant insisted he was happy to own up to his mistake after receiving online backlash over his comments made at the start of the pandemic.
He said: ‘Failure is an everyday part of life. It’s not a nasty word. I’ll fail till the day I die and so will everyone else. Once you acknowledge it, you can turn it around. The moment you shy away from it, this negative circle will keep coming.’
‘When it comes to hardship, that’s what builds resilience. Sometimes we do come second third or maybe last. You get resilient from that.’
‘To ignore that in schools, it’s unhealthy. It doesn’t prepare you for everyday life. You’re wrapped up in cotton wool. When you’re expected to stand on your own two feet, they’re not prepared for it.’
Ant previously admitted he had made a mistake with his post and deleted it because it contradicted government advice and he ‘wouldn’t want people to come across that now’.
In March, Ant uploaded an apology video and confessed: ‘I’ve come out of this bubble, I’ve realised I’ve probably been a bit insensitive towards the scale of the crisis that’s happening in the UK and the forever changing situation and advice that’s been given.
‘I decided to take down my previous post because some of the advice I gave now goes against government advice and I wouldn’t want people to come across that now.
‘I’ve decided to admit that I made a mistake. I always talk about integrity, take that on the chin and come back to the UK and do the best that I possibly can.’
He praised the emergency services as well as NHS staff and other key employees working throughout the crisis.
The original post read: ‘Am I still out travelling the world? Yes. Am I still shaking hands? Yes. Am I still cuddling fans at the airport? Yes. Am I washing my hands and keeping my hygiene to a high standard as always? Yes.
Controversial: It comes shortly after he was reportedly been forced to quit his role as the Royal Navy’s Chief Cadet after just nine months
‘Has my life changed? No. Am I going to let some disease, COVID-19, dictate my life? Absolutely not. Get out there, don’t change, F**k COVID-19!’
Captioning his clip, Ant said that fans should thank him if they end up contracting the virus from him, because it will ultimately make them stronger.
He said: ‘I do love my fans who come up to me and want a cuddle or a handshake but feel really awkward, so I simply pull them in anyway.
‘Don’t worry if I give it to you, your immune system will be stronger after then you can come back and thank me with a kiss! Stay clean and keep doing your thing!
‘P.S I haven’t got Covid-19 but probably have had it like the majority of you but Ssshhh!’
In one Instagram video in March, Ant insisted he didn’t care if he got Covid and compared it to the flu.
He said: ‘I don’t care if I get it, I’ll fight it off. We don’t let the flu stop us do we? If you’re vulnerable, protect yourself and allow us to keep the economy going.
‘Allow us to live normal lives and stop this panic. It’s equivalent to our shores being breached by an enemy force. Do we pick up the weapons and fight it or do we all run for the hills and hide away and isolate ourselves?
‘Ultimately the problem doesn’t go away. We’ve got to tackle it head on. For those that can fight Covid-19 head on, let’s do it. For those that can’t, isolate yourselves, protect yourselves and allow us to keep the economy going.
‘Covid-19 doesn’t bother me, neither should it for you if you are young fit and healthy. Be sensitive to spreading it, be sensitive to the situation and be sensitive to the vulnerable.’
Quit: Navy chiefs were also said to be furious about the star’s online rant about Government advice to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in March
Navy chiefs were said to be furious about the star’s online rant about Government advice to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Ant later apologised for his comments.
He was given the option to quit or be sacked by admiralty bosses exasperated with his controversial behaviour.
A source told The Sun: ‘He never thought he’d be given such a difficult choice. But he has decided to take matters into his own hands and step down. He’s gutted.’
A Ministry of Defence spokesman told MailOnline: ‘The Ministry of Defence is not prepared to comment as this is a private matter.’
Boot: Ant was previously given the boot by Soccer Aid 2020 amid fears that his involvement would offend other players