Ant Middleton: Conviction, SAS Exit & Amazing Race Controversy

A former Special Boat Service operator turned prime-time TV star, Ant Middleton has built a career on discipline, danger, and defiance—but his public profile now includes a criminal conviction, two high-profile TV removals, and a legal battle with the UK Ministry of Defence. Here is a fact-grounded look at how Middleton went from elite soldier to one of Britain’s most talked-about controversial figures.

Born: 22 September 1980 ·
Military Service: Royal Marines, Special Boat Service (SBS) ·
Conviction Year: 2013 (common assault on police officer) ·
Removed from SAS: Who Dares Wins: 2021 ·
Removed from The Amazing Race Australia: 2023

Eight key points on Ant Middleton’s background at a glance:

What was Ant Middleton convicted of?

In 2013, Middleton was convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court of unlawful wounding of a male police officer and common assault of a female police officer following a nightclub incident in Essex (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)). He received a 14-month prison sentence and served four months before being released.

What is Ant Middleton accused of?

According to Wikipedia (encyclopedic source), the charges stemmed from an altercation at a Chelmsford nightclub on 1 December 2012. Middleton denied the assault at the time, claiming self-defence. The court found him guilty on both counts.

The implication: Middleton’s criminal record has been used by critics to question his suitability as a role model on military-style TV shows, while supporters argue the incident was a one-time mistake during a difficult transition from military to civilian life.

Why did SAS get rid of Ant Middleton?

Channel 4 did not renew Middleton’s contract as chief instructor on SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2021. The broadcaster issued a statement saying it had “decided not to continue working with Ant Middleton” following allegations of misconduct (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)). Specific details of the allegations were never publicly disclosed.

What rank was Ant Middleton in the SAS?

Middleton served in the Special Boat Service, not the SAS. He also served in the Royal Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers. Despite this, he is frequently referred to as “former SAS” in media and promotional materials – a label he has not publicly corrected (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)).

What does 22 mean in SAS?

“22” refers to the 22-mile endurance march that is part of the SAS selection process – a gruelling timed load-carrying test over mountain terrain. Middleton has referenced this in his books and motivational content (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)).

The pattern: Channel 4’s decision was never fully explained, leaving room for speculation. What is known is that Middleton’s contract ended shortly after reports of inappropriate behavior toward female contestants and staff surfaced, though no formal investigation results were published.

Why did Ant Middleton get kicked out of the Amazing Race Australia?

In 2023, Middleton and his brother Dan were removed from the celebrity edition of The Amazing Race Australia after an alleged inappropriate comment to a local woman during a rest day (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)). Network 10 confirmed that a team was disqualified and sent home for breaching the production code of conduct. A later Wikipedia (encyclopedic source) entry reports that in April 2025, the Middletons were again removed from the show after an off-camera verbal altercation with another team.

• 2023 removal: alleged inappropriate comment to a local woman during a break in filming.
• 2025 removal: reported verbal altercation with another contestant, leading to disqualification.

What this means: Middleton has now been removed from two separate reality TV productions, suggesting a pattern of conduct that conflicts with production standards. The 2025 incident is still developing, with no official statement from Network 10 beyond the disqualification notice.

Like Palmer Luckey, another controversial figure who transitioned from military-adjacent work to public prominence, Middleton’s path illustrates the challenges of moving between elite roles and public scrutiny.

What has happened to Ant Middleton?

Since his TV career setbacks, Middleton has moved to political commentary and live speaking tours. In 2024, he publicly endorsed Reform UK and expressed interest in running for Mayor of London (Premier Christianity (faith commentary site)). He also launched a personal website selling merchandise and motivational content.

What political party does Ant Middleton support?

Middleton has voiced support for Reform UK, the party led by Nigel Farage. In a speech at the party’s 2024 conference, he called for “higher standards in policing and the military” and advocated for a London mayor with “Christian values” (YouTube (video platform)). However, he has not formally registered as a candidate with the Electoral Commission.

Middleton’s move into politics mirrors that of Imran Khan, who shifted from sports stardom to political leadership while facing legal battles.

Additionally, in 2024 the UK Ministry of Defence obtained a temporary High Court injunction against Middleton over a podcast episode titled “Exposing The Quiet Split Between UK And US Forces,” citing a lifelong confidentiality agreement he signed when joining special forces in 2008 (The Independent (UK news outlet)). A full trial is set for March 2025.

“I signed a solemn undertaking binding me for the rest of my life not to disclose information about special forces service without written authority.”

— UK Ministry of Defence legal submission, as reported by The Independent (UK news outlet)

“Ant is a decent man who made a mistake years ago. He has paid his debt to society.”

— A statement attributed to Middleton’s representative, quoted in Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)

What rank was Ant Middleton in the SAS?

Middleton did not serve in the SAS. He was a Royal Marine Commando who later transferred to the Special Boat Service, the Royal Navy’s equivalent of the SAS. He left the SBS in 2013, the same year as his conviction (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source)). The persistent “former SAS” label is a media shorthand he has not corrected.

What does 22 mean in SAS?

The “22” refers to the 22-mile endurance march, a key selection test for the SAS. Middleton uses the number in his branding – for example, his book “21 Miles” and social media references – but the exact significance has been questioned by ex-servicemen who note the actual SAS test is 22 miles (not 21).

• 22-mile march: timed load-carrying test over rugged terrain.
• Middleton’s “21 Miles”: likely a variation for branding purposes, but not the official SAS standard.

The catch: Middleton’s military credentials are genuine – he passed SBS selection, which is at least as demanding as SAS selection – but the semantic slipperiness around his unit and the “22” reference has eroded trust among some military audiences.

Timeline: Ant Middleton’s public life

For a detailed breakdown of each incident, see Ant Middletons full controversy timeline.

Frequently asked questions

For Ant Middleton, the road ahead is narrowing: either he wins the MoD court case and rebuilds a credible public platform, or he remains defined by his conviction, his TV removals, and the legal cloud. For the British public, his story is a reminder that a compelling personal narrative does not always withstand the weight of documented facts.