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

‘Mistakes happen, and we all make them. What’s important, though, is that you own them’

SAS: Who Dares Wins presenter Ant Middleton says he has learned from his mistakes after facing a backlash for controversial comments on the coronavirus.

Last month, the ex-soldier said he refused to accept the illness as a threat.

In an Instagram post, the adventurer said: “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.”

He continued: “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*** Covid-19!”

Speaking to Men’s Health, Middleton said he was tackling the negative backlash to his comments with “positivity”.

He told the publication: “When an unfavourable situation comes along, you can’t counter negativity with negativity. It’s a double negative. It’s simple science. You’ll end up one way very quickly, and that’s down.

“You have to tackle negativity with positivity, whether that’s a situation or a person. And if you can’t deal with it, you need to cut it out of your life. Because, otherwise, it’s just going to engulf you.”

On owning up to his mistakes, Ant elaborated: “Mistakes happen, and we all make them. What’s important, though, is that you own your mistakes – acknowledge them, instead of running away from them.

“You need to learn from the mistakes you make in your life. By doing that, you can emerge from the situation and harness it to make yourself a better version of you for the future.

“It’s important to push your fears. But remember, they are individual to you. Do not compare yourself to other people. Don’t let anyone or anything else define who you are.”

Middleton also shared some of his thoughts on how to be strong in times of crisis.

“Society wants you in a box” he said. “We’re more closed off than ever. We’re not free! But we can be. I know what I am and I’m happy. Mental resilience means being happy with who you are.

“Risk is growth. Failure is growth. Everyone should keep testing themselves. I’ve tested myself multiple times, to the point of near-death.”