Ant Middleton: MOD Lawsuit, SAS Discharge & Dubai Life

Ant Middleton’s story is one of extremes: from elite military service to a prison cell, from TV stardom to a courtroom confrontation with the very institution he once served. In 2023, the Ministry of Defence ended a High Court lawsuit against him with a settlement, marking just the latest twist in a career that has included 5 Sunday Times bestsellers and a move to Dubai.

Full name: Anthony Middleton ·
Born: 22 September 1980 ·
Occupation: Television personality, author, former special forces soldier ·
Prison sentence: 16 months (2010) ·
Number of Sunday Times bestsellers: 5 ·
TV show: SAS: Who Dares Wins (2015–2021)

Seven key facts about Ant Middleton’s biography, military record, and legal history:

What has happened to Ant Middleton?

What does Ant from SAS do now?

• He left SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2021 after Channel 4 decided to stop working with him over “personal conduct” Forces News (UK military news outlet).
• He has since focused on his personal brand, authoring books, and public speaking events through his agency Platinum Speakers (speaker agency).
• Middleton now lives in Dubai, a move he cited as driven by lifestyle and tax considerations The Independent (UK news publication).

What is Ant Middleton doing now?

“He’s the same man at home as on TV.”

Emilie Middleton, in a social media post (paraphrased)

Beyond his family life, Middleton runs Ant Middleton’s Special Forces Adventure — a wilderness experience company in Dubai — and maintains a strong social media presence. He has not announced any new TV projects since leaving SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Why is MOD suing Ant Middleton?

What has Ant Middleton been convicted of?

• In 2013, Middleton was convicted of unlawful wounding and common assault against police officers in Chelmsford, Essex Platinum Speakers (speaker agency).
• He received a 16-month prison sentence in 2010 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm (separate incident) Judiciary of England and Wales (UK court body).

What was Ant Middleton in jail for?

The 2010 conviction stemmed from an assault that left a man with a broken jaw. Middleton served half of his 16-month sentence before release. He has since said in interviews that prison “was the making of me.” The MOD lawsuit, however, was a civil breach-of-contract case, not a criminal prosecution. The Ministry of Defence sued Middleton over alleged disclosure of “extremely sensitive” special forces details on a podcast called Mike Drop Forces News (UK military news outlet).

“We can confirm a settlement has been reached.”

Ministry of Defence spokesperson, in a press statement (via Forces News)

A High Court judge issued a temporary injunction in April 2023 restraining Middleton from publishing or disclosing information relating to UK Special Forces work that came into his possession by virtue of his position Judiciary of England and Wales (UK court body). The case was later settled out of court. The terms and exact settlement amount remain confidential.

Why was Ant Middleton kicked out of SAS?

Why did Ant Middleton lose his job?

• He was discharged from the SAS in 2005 after an altercation with a superior Platinum Speakers (speaker agency).
• Middleton has given conflicting accounts: at times he says he left voluntarily, other sources describe it as a forced exit Yahoo News UK (news aggregator).
• His military career also included the Royal Marines and SBS before joining the SAS Forces News (UK military news outlet).

As for losing his TV job, Channel 4 cut ties in 2021 after discussions over his “personal conduct” following complaints and controversies about his public statements and behaviour Yahoo News UK (news aggregator). Middleton said he had decided it was time to move on from SAS: Who Dares Wins UK.

Why does Ant Middleton live in Dubai?

• Middleton moved to Dubai in 2021, shortly after leaving SAS: Who Dares Wins Forces News (UK military news outlet).
• He has cited the lower tax regime and lifestyle benefits as reasons The Independent (UK news publication).
• Critics have accused him of tax avoidance, though his income sources—books, speaking, and adventure ventures—are not illegal under UK law as long as he is non-resident.

“It was the making of me.”

Ant Middleton, referring to his prison sentence, in multiple interviews

The trade-off for Dubai is clear: lower taxes but no UK television platform. Middleton has not appeared on a major UK network since 2021.

Who is Anthony Middleton’s wife?

Who is Emilie Middleton?

• Emilie Middleton (née Jones) married Ant Middleton in 2008 Platinum Speakers (speaker agency).
• The couple have five children together Wikipedia (community encyclopedia).
• Emilie often appears on Middleton’s social media and has given interviews defending his character.

“He’s the same man at home as on TV.”

Emilie Middleton, in a social media post (paraphrased)

Emilie has been a consistent anchor in Middleton’s life through his military career, prison, TV fame, and Dubai relocation. She is not a public figure in her own right but has shared glimpses of their family life.

Timeline

• 22 Sep 1980 – Born in Portsmouth, England. Platinum Speakers (speaker agency)
• 1998–2005 – Served in Royal Marines, SBS, and SAS Forces News (UK military news outlet).
• 2005 – Discharged from the SAS following an altercation. Platinum Speakers (speaker agency)
• 2008 – Married Emilie Jones. The Independent (UK news publication)
• 2010 – Sentenced to 16 months in prison for assault Yahoo News UK (news aggregator).
• 2015 – First series of SAS: Who Dares Wins aired on Channel 4. Platinum Speakers (speaker agency)
• 2021 – Dropped from SAS: Who Dares Wins; moved to Dubai Forces News (UK military news outlet).
• 2023 – MOD lawsuit settled out of court Judiciary of England and Wales (UK court body).

The pattern across these dates is a cycle of achievement followed by self-inflicted fall: military elite to discharge, TV fame to cancellation, legal threat to settlement.

For UK audiences following Ant Middleton’s trajectory, the takeaway is a man caught between national hero status and personal liability. The MOD settlement locked away the most sensitive details of his career, but it also confirmed that the military establishment will enforce secrecy long after service ends. For Middleton, the choice is clear: keep building a brand in Dubai, or face the scrutiny that follows every attempt to return to British public life.