TV tough guy Ant Middleton admits ‘mistake’ after being criticised for urging people to ‘get out there, don’t change’ during coronavirus pandemic
- Ant Middleton, 39, announced he was continuing on with life as usual this week
- Coronavirus UK death toll rose by 40 – bringing the total to 177 – yesterday
- Middleton admitted his comments were a ‘mistake’ and said he was in a ‘bubble’
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton claimed his comments urging people to ‘get out there, don’t change’ amid the coronavirus crisis were a ‘mistake’.
The 39-year-old former solider took to Instagram earlier this week to announce that he was continuing on with life as usual during the outbreak and ended his video recording with the terse statement: ‘F**k COVID-19.’
The coronavirus death toll in Britain rose by 40 yesterday – bringing the total to 177.
SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton claimed his comments urging people to ‘get out there, don’t change’ amid the coronavirus crisis were a ‘mistake’ in a video today
Middleton said he was in a ‘bubble’ while filming a ‘secret project’ in New Zealand when he made the controversial comments
Middleton, who was a member of the British special forces, yesterday posted a video saying he was in a ‘bubble’ while filming a ‘secret project’ in New Zealand.
Middleton said: ‘And now I’ve come out of this bubble I’ve realised I’ve probably been a bit insensitive towards the magnitude, the scale, of the crisis that’s happening in the UK.’
In the post earlier this week, the TV personality 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.
‘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**k COVID-19!’
Captioning his clip, Ant said that fans should thank him if they end up contracting the virus from him, because it will ultimately make them stronger.
Middleton said: ‘And now I’ve come out of this bubble I’ve realised I’ve probably been a bit insensitive towards the magnitude, the scale, of the crisis that’s happening in the UK’
Climb: The SAS: Who Dares Wins star spent four weeks climbing the highest mountain in the world with a team for Channel 4’s Extreme Everest
He said: ‘I do love my fans who come up to me and want a cuddle or a handshake but feel really awkward, so I simply pull them in anyway.
‘Don’t worry if I give it to you, your immune system will be stronger after then you can come back and thank me with a kiss! Stay clean and keep doing your thing!
‘P.S I haven’t got Covid-19 but probably have had it like the majority of you but Ssshhh!’
Last month, former soldier Ant admitted he cheated on his TV Everest challenge after he left his crew and was flown out to a luxury hotel and spa during the trek
Middleton said he had deleted his previous posts as they contradicted government advice and he ‘wouldn’t want people to come across that now’.
‘I’ve decided to admit that I made a mistake. I always talk about integrity, take that on the chin and come back to the UK and do the best that I possibly can,’ Middleton said.
He praised the emergency services as well as NHS staff and other key employees working throughout the crisis.
Boris Johnson yesterday ordered all pubs, bars, restaurants in the UK to shut down in an unprecedented move to slow the outbreak which has killed 177 in the country alone.