Ant Middleton’s time on Australian television is most likely over, after Channel Ten made the shock decision to part ways with the former ‘hardman’ during filming of The Amazing Race.
Once seen as a major draw card for Aussie audiences, the English-born reality TV star, 44, was parachuted into big-budget reality formats following his high-profile fall from grace in the UK.
But industry insiders say his exit from this year’s The Amazing Race has effectively killed his prospects on Australian screens, after he and his brother Dan were booted from the show after his sibling had a run-in with another team.
‘Any talk of Ant returning for another season of SAS Australia or being considered for new formats on free-to-air has completely disappeared,’ a TV insider exclusively told Daily Mail.
‘The networks don’t want the baggage anymore.’
Middleton’s attempt to escape the damaging headlines that plagued him overseas has backfired, with old controversies – from inflammatory comments to fractured relationships with producers – reportedly following him Down Under.
Ant Middleton’s time on Australian television is most likely over, after Channel Ten made the shock decision to part ways with the former ‘hardman’ during filming of The Amazing Race
‘This was supposed to be a fresh start. But the same problems followed him here. The aura around Ant as a no-nonsense tough guy has worn thin,’ the insider added.
With doors closing in both Britain and Australia, Middleton is believed to be turning his attention to the United States.
‘He’s got the look, the presence and the stories to tell,’ one industry figure says.
‘But the US is a much harder nut to crack than Australia or the UK. Networks there do their homework, they’ll know the controversies that have followed him. It won’t be easy.’
While his screen presence and intensity have long drawn viewers, Middleton’s exit from The Amazing Race Australia may mark the definitive end of his reality TV chapter Down Under.
‘Viewers loved the intensity he brought,’ the insider admits. ‘But you can’t outrun a reputation forever. Ant has run out of fresh starts here.’
Middleton later described the situation as ‘bizarre’ and said it felt weird to be kicked off the show over an incident he was not personally involved in.
‘I wasn’t present when a situation unfolded with my brother. The only thing the production could tell me is that our team couldn’t continue due to a situation that unfolded with my brother,’ Middleton told Yahoo Lifestyle.
Industry insiders say his exit from this year’s The Amazing Race has effectively killed his prospects on Australian screens, after he and his brother Dan were booted from the show after his sibling had a run-in with another team. Both pictured
TikTok stars Luke and ‘Sassy’ Scott O’Halloran allege they were subjected to ‘homophobic’ slurs by Dan Middleton during the competition. Following the altercation, the SAS Australia host and his brother were sent home for breaching the show’s code of conduct
‘Strange situation, but one that’s completely out of my control and had nothing to do with me.’
It comes after The Amazing Race was rocked by controversy after the Middleton siblings were booted from the Channel Ten series following accusations of intimidation and offensive remarks.
TikTok stars Luke and ‘Sassy’ Scott O’Halloran allege they were subjected to ‘homophobic’ slurs by Dan Middleton during the competition.
Following the altercation, the SAS Australia host and his brother were sent home for breaching the show’s code of conduct.
Luke, 34, and Scott, 39, revealed the trouble started at their hotel in Nepal during a day off from filming.
‘Dan Middleton approached us six times, making remarks and gestures that we found homophobic, offensive, intimidatory, and disturbing,’ the pair told Sydney Confidential.
They continued: ‘Each time he (Dan) came over to us, the encounters felt increasingly more aggressive.
‘At one point, he was right up in our faces, surrounded by some of the other cast members, who seemed to us to be as uncomfortable as we were.’
It comes after The Amazing Race was rocked by controversy after the Middleton siblings were booted from the Channel Ten series following accusations of intimidation and offensive remarks
The O’Hallorans said that AFL star Brendan Fevola attempted to defuse the situation, physically stepping between the social media stars and Dan. At the time, Fevola reportedly gave producers an ultimatum: remove the Middleton brothers or he and daughter Leni would walk
The O’Hallorans said that AFL star Brendan Fevola attempted to defuse the situation, physically stepping between the social media stars and Dan.
‘He did [that] more than once,’ they said.
Reports of the incident first emerged in April. Although Ant Middleton was not directly involved, he was disqualified alongside his brother.
At the time, Fevola reportedly gave producers an ultimatum: remove the Middleton brothers or he and daughter Leni would walk.
Ant and Dan were sent home and cut from the series shortly after – in a statement, Network Ten confirmed that a team had been disqualified for breaching the show’s code of conduct.
‘Network 10 takes the health, safety and well-being of all contestants seriously,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Following a breach of the production’s code of conduct by one contestant, on a day off during production, a team was disqualified and swiftly sent home.’
During Tuesday’s episode, host Beau Ryan told viewers: ‘Overnight, due to a breach of the code of conduct, Ant and Dan have been removed from the Race.’
Rising to fame on TikTok, the O’Halloran brothers now host The Luke and Sassy Scott Podcast.
This is not the first time Middleton has been at the centre of controversy.
In 2021, he branded UK Channel 4’s handling of his departure from SAS: Who Dares Wins as ‘reckless and desperate’ as he dismissed claims he made inappropriate comments to female crew members.
The adventurer and military veteran, who was axed by Channel 4 due to his ‘personal conduct’, said he was preparing to walk away from the show because the ‘PC Patrol’ had taken over and it was no longer authentic.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Middleton was forced to deny claims he had made ‘inappropriate’ comments to female staff, which were subsequently investigated by channel bosses.
He said anonymous complaints had been made about ‘indirect’ behaviour that was typical of the hosts’ military backgrounds and said ‘snowflakes’ do not belong on set.
Addressing the claims he had been inappropriate, he added: ‘You’re on SAS: Who Dares Wins. We say, do inappropriate things. If you get offended by them then so be it.
‘When they say inappropriate comments, it wasn’t direct, it’s what someone has seen on the show.’
