Channel Seven backs Ant Middleton after UK controversies

Ant Middleton will restart his career in Australia after his company went bankrupt in the UK and he was fired from Channel Four’s SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Despite numerous headline controversies in the UK press, Channel Seven backed the 42-year-old reality star, signing him on to present Million Dollar Island and SAS Australia.

He daily telegraph reported Saturday that Middleton has been in financial trouble after he was forced to liquidate his company.

The former SAS: Who Dares Wins star is said to have been paid £4.5m (A$7.8m) in 2021, but that was before he was sacked from the Channel 4 reality show due to his ” personal conduct”.

Before last Christmas, he was reportedly forced to wind up his main business after failing to pay off debts.

Sun claims the business was abandoned, owing £3,318 (AUD$5.7K) to other creditors and £1,199,773 (AUD$2M) to HMRC.

Before closing, Ant is believed to have taken out a £2.7m (AUD$4.7m) “director’s loan”, with documentation indicating it is “uncertain” how much of that will be paid out. It has been alleged that Ant requested £20,000 (AUD$34.8K) in holiday pay.

The company, which was founded in 2014, was known as Middleton Global before changing its name to Sway and Starting in November of last year.

Despite numerous headline controversies in the UK press, Channel Seven backed the reality TV star by signing him on to present Million Dollar Island and SAS Australia.

Ant’s spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Due to the impact of the lockdowns on Ant’s work and the associated adverse effects on the business, Middleton Global Limited unfortunately had to be voluntarily wound up.

“Ant himself has an extremely busy year ahead of him and is fully focused on his television work, brand deals, books and events.”

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for further comment.

In early March 2021, Channel 4 confirmed Ant’s abrupt departure from SAS: Who Dares Wins, apparently due to his ‘personal conduct’.

In early March 2021, Channel 4 confirmed Ant’s abrupt departure from SAS: Who Dares Wins, apparently due to his ‘personal conduct’

A Channel 4 spokesperson told MailOnline at the time: “Ant Middleton will not be involved in the future series of SAS: Who Dares Wins.”

“After a series of conversations Channel 4 and Minnow Films have had with him regarding his personal conduct, it has become clear that our views and values ​​are not aligned and we will not be working with him again.”

His departure came months after Ant sparked controversy by referring to Black Lives Matter protesters as “absolute scum” and urged people to “carry on as normal” and not change their habits during the covid pandemic.

Previously, Ant responded to claims that his departure was due to allegedly making a lewd comment to a woman that was picked up on his microphone.

His spokesman said: “Ant has worked on televisions around the world for many years and has never been accused of speaking inappropriately by anyone.”

‘He has only been made aware of these accusations, which he wholeheartedly and emphatically rejects, through the media.

“If someone felt they said something verbally offensive, we would have expected a formal review process, but such a discussion has never taken place either through any of the networks they work for or through bodies like Bectu.”

The former SAS: Who Dares Wins star is said to have been paid £4.5m (A$7.8m) in 2021, but that was before he was fired from the Channel 4 reality show.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain in March, Ant denied claims that he had made “inappropriate” comments to female staff that were later investigated by Channel 4 bosses.

He said anonymous complaints had been made about “indirection” behavior that was typical of the hosts’ military background, saying “snowflakes” do not belong on the set of SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Following Channel 4’s statement on his departure, Ant posted on Instagram: “Hey guys, I’ve got some news: after five amazing years I’ve decided it’s time to leave SAS Who Dares Wins UK.”

‘Big respect to my fellow DS’s – it’s been a ride I’ll never forget. Thank you to everyone who participated and made the show what it is.’

He added: ‘Really excited for the future and what’s coming up this year. Stay positive.’

Following Channel 4’s statement on his departure, Ant posted on Instagram: “Hey guys, I’ve got some news: after five amazing years I’ve decided it’s time to leave SAS Who Dares Wins UK.”