TV star and former soldier Ant Middleton has backtracked on his “dangerous” coronavirus advice amid the ongoing worldwide pandemic.
Earlier this week, the SAS: Who Dares Wins star told fans he was “not affected” by COVID-19 and that the killer bug “doesn’t bother” him in a video, which he ended: “F**k COVID-19”.
He also urged fans to “get out there”, despite government recommendations to self-isolate.
But after furious fan backlash, the 39-year-old took to Instagram to say that he was only talking about himself and that everyone should “follow common sense”.
In a further video, he said he would be taking down his original posts and that he was “not fully aware of the scale of the crisis back in the UK”.
Ant Middleton has backtracked on his ‘moronic’ coronavirus advice (Image: antmiddleton/Instagram)
Addressing fans, the star said: “You know I talk a lot about integrity, acknowledgement and taking ownership of your mistakes. I’m standing by my values now and taking ownership of mine.”
“As some of you know, I’m out in New Zealand for a secret project, in a bubble and not fully aware of the scale of the crisis back in UK…it’s only hitting me now what a challenge we face.”
He added: “I am not a doctor, I am not a scientist. I want to use my platform to promote positivity and mental strength. So I am taking my recent videos down.
“This is my choice because we look forward, we keep positive and we celebrate the hard work of all the incredible people grafting to keep us safe and healthy.”
Ant had urged fans to ‘get out there’, despite government recommendations to self-isolate (Image: antmiddleton/Instagram)
In another post, he said: “I am an outspoken man, I say it as I see it. I believe the strong have to look after the weak, always.
“It is our duty. COVID-19 doesn’t bother me for myself. Myself people. My health. But self-isolate and follow common sense.”
Ant added: “”I will be volunteering all of my spare time, if I can leave my home – AND I WILL BE FOLLOWING THE NEW GOVERNMENT ADVICE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING, NO MORE HANDSHAKES!!! – to take my skillset wherever it is needed!”
In the post earlier this week, Ant told fans: “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, the star said that fans should thank him if they end up contracting the virus from him, because it will ultimately make them stronger.
Ant is known for appearing on TV show SAS: Who Dares Wins (Image: Sunday Mirror)
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!”
Despite some agreeing with Ant’s original statement, many slammed him for the comments.
One social media user tweeted: “Please don’t listen to dangerous people like Ant Middleton.”
While another added: “This is Ant Middleton. Explorer. Adventurer. Complete and utter moron.”
A third chimed in: “Always liked Ant Middleton. It’s a real shame it turns out he’s a complete f**king scoundrel.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
