Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ant Middleton dropped from SAS: Who Dares Wins due to controversial ‘views and values’

‘We will not be working with him again,’ Channel 4 spokesperson said

Jacob Stolworthy
Tuesday 02 March 2021 08:57 GMT
Comments
Ant Middleton apologises for comparing Black Lives Matter protesters to EDL

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ant Middleton will no longer host SAS: Who Dares Wins due to his controversial “views and values”.

Channel 4 has cut ties with the former soldier turned TV personality, who has featured on the series since 2015,

A spokesperson for the channel released a statement reading: “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.”

Despite this, Middleton claimed it was his decision to step away from the series in a post he shared on Twitter and Instagram on Monday (1 March).

Channel 4’s move comes after Middleton was forced to apologise for calling Black Lives Matter protesters “scum” and comparing them to the English Defence League (EDL) in June 2020.

Ant Middleton has been a part of ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’ since 2015
Ant Middleton has been a part of ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’ since 2015 (Getty Images)

In since deleted tweets shared as far-right groups violently clashed with anti-racism protesters and police in London, the TV personality branded both “extreme groups” as “thugs”.

READ MORE: SAS: Who Dares Wins host Ant Middleton responds to backlash over coronavirus remarks

After public outry, Middleton responded: “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. 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. I was angry and put that tweet out to say that that was unacceptable.”

In April, the TV personality also faced backlash for saying that he was still “travelling the world” and “shaking hands” amid the coronavirus crisis.

The Independent has contacted Middleton’s representatives for additional comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in