Ant Middleton has questioned claims he’s been fired as the host of <em>SAS: Who Dares Wins</em>.
It was reported on Monday (1 March) that Channel 4 had decided to cut ties with the former soldier, who has presented the series since 2015,
“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,” a spokesperson for the channel said.
However, Middleton has doubled down on the claim that it was his own decision to step away.
On Monday evening, he wrote on Twitter and Instagram: “After five incredible years, I’ve decided it’s time to move on from SAS: Who Dares Wins UK,” he wrote. “Big respect to my fellow DS – it’s been a journey I’ll never forget.”
The TV personality added: “Thanks to everyone that took part and made the show what it is. Really excited about the future and what’s coming this year.”
On Tuesday (2 March), he shared a post by Good Morning Britain co-host Piers Morgan that criticised Channel 4 for “firing” Middleton, adding: “Fired??? All will be revealed. See you soon.”
The news 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.
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
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, Middleton 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.
