SAS Australia Ant Middleton kisses Ali Oetjen’s forehead and affectionately cuddles her as she quits

The tender moment SAS Australia drill sergeant Ant Middleton kisses Ali Oetjen’s forehead and cuddles her as she breaks down and quits the show

He’s the tough-talking former British soldier putting Australian stars through their paces on SAS Australia. 

But Chief Instructor Ant Middleton, 39, showed a rare glimpse of his softer side on Tuesday’s episode as he shared he tender moment with recruit Ali Oetjen, 33. 

During the emotional scene, a compassionate Ant consoled Ali as she tried to recover from a panic attack.

Ali had refused to jump out of a helicopter into freezing water during the episode’s challenge, and later found herself huddled beneath a tree hysterically crying.

Shedding his tough-guy exterior, Ant approached the blonde, kneeled down in front of her and affectionately placed his hands on her knees.  

‘It takes a unique individual to do the job that we do,’ Ant said gently.

Letting down his guard: SAS Australia’s Chief Instructor Ant Middleton, 39, showed a rare glimpse of his softer side on Tuesday night’s episode as he shared he tender moment with Ali Oetjen, 33 

'You should be extremely proud of where you are right now': Shedding his tough-guy exterior, Ant approached the blonde, kneeled down in front of her and affectionately placed his hands on her knees

‘You should be extremely proud of where you are right now’: Shedding his tough-guy exterior, Ant approached the blonde, kneeled down in front of her and affectionately placed his hands on her knees

‘Listen, it’s just not for some people. There’s no shame in that. You’ve got to beyond your limitations. So you should be extremely proud of where you are right now,’ said Ant. 

‘You’ve done amazing, honestly. Absolutely amazing,’ he insisted. 

As Ali turned over her armband to quit the show, Ant drew her in for a friendly hug and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. 

Compassionate: As Ali turned over her armband to quit the show, Ant drew her in for a friendly hug and placed a tender kiss on her forehead

Compassionate: As Ali turned over her armband to quit the show, Ant drew her in for a friendly hug and placed a tender kiss on her forehead

Ali and Ant forged a particularly strong bond during their time together on Channel Seven’s military-style reality show.    

Their close friendship became clear last month when Ali uploaded an innocent flirty exchange with the Chief Instructor on her Instagram Stories.  

Joking about Ant’s heated words to her while they were on the show, the former Bachelor contestant asked the ex-Royal Marine whether he still considered her to be a ‘Rapunzel or rock slug’. 

Social media exchange: Ali's  close friendship with Ant became clear last month when Ali uploaded an innocent flirty exchange with the Chief Instructor on her Instagram Stories

Social media exchange: Ali’s  close friendship with Ant became clear last month when Ali uploaded an innocent flirty exchange with the Chief Instructor on her Instagram Stories 

Ali asked her question alongside an image of Ant furiously shouting at her while on the show.

Proving that she was a good sport about their unpleasant interactions during filming, she added: ‘PS – love and respect you’.

Ant immediately responded by sharing Ali’s screenshot on his page. 

'Love and respect you': Joking about Ant's heated words to her while they were on the show, the former Bachelor star asked the ex-Royal Marine whether he still considered her to be a 'Rapunzel or rock slug'

‘Love and respect you’: Joking about Ant’s heated words to her while they were on the show, the former Bachelor star asked the ex-Royal Marine whether he still considered her to be a ‘Rapunzel or rock slug’

That's the spirit! Proving that she was a good sport about their unpleasant interactions on the show, the blonde added: 'PS - love and respect you'

That’s the spirit! Proving that she was a good sport about their unpleasant interactions on the show, the blonde added: ‘PS – love and respect you’ 

In a tongue-in-cheek response to her question, the happily married star wrote: ‘My lips are sealed!’  

The exchange is merely innocent as hardman Ant has been happily married to his wife of 14 years, Emilie. 

The pair share children Shyla, 12, Gabriel, 11, Priseis, four and Bligh, three. 

Response: In a tongue-in-cheek response to her question, the happily married star wrote: 'My lips are sealed!'

Response: In a tongue-in-cheek response to her question, the happily married star wrote: ‘My lips are sealed!’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk