When a TV personality who built his brand on discipline and resilience faces a company director ban over unpaid taxes, the contrast is hard to ignore. Ant Middleton, known for his role in SAS: Who Dares Wins, now finds himself at the centre of a financial controversy that raises questions about the gap between his public image and private business affairs.
Net worth: £1.6 million reported after 2023 accounts ·
Company directorship status: Banned as company director ·
Unpaid tax liability: £1 million ·
Military service: Royal Marines, 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, SBS ·
Current political ambition: Announced mayoral campaign for London
Quick snapshot
- Exact terms of the MOD settlement (BBC News) (Forbes Burton)
- Whether his mayoral campaign has official party backing (Forbes Burton)
- 2024: MOD settled personal injury claim (BBC News)
- 2024: Company director ban imposed (BBC News)
- Mayoral election campaign for London Mayor (Forbes Burton)
Five key facts, one pattern: a public narrative of discipline that collides with a private record of financial mismanagement.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anthony Middleton |
| Date of Birth | 22 September 1980 |
| Former Military Unit | Special Boat Service (SBS) |
| Television Series | SAS: Who Dares Wins (removed 2020) |
| Countries | London, UK |
| Company director ban | 4 years (2024–2028) – Sway and Starting Limited |
| Unpaid tax | £1,136,794 (corporation tax + VAT) |
| Net worth (2024) | £1.6 million (reported) |
| Political ambition | Candidate for Mayor of London (announced 2021) |
What was Ant Middleton convicted of?
Details of any criminal record
Middleton has no criminal conviction related to the unpaid tax. The action against him was a civil company-director disqualification, not a criminal prosecution. The JMW Solicitors (legal experts) explain that a disqualification undertaking is a voluntary agreement with the Secretary of State, avoiding contested court proceedings. The BBC News (UK media authority) confirmed that Middleton and his wife Emilie were banned from acting as company directors for four years after their company failed to settle tax liabilities exceeding £1 million.
Context of legal charges versus civil actions
The MOD separately brought a civil claim against Middleton over a personal injury matter. The BBC News reported that the claim was settled in 2024 on undisclosed terms. This is distinct from the director disqualification. The key distinction: no criminal charges — both the tax debt and the MOD claim were resolved through civil mechanisms.
The pattern is consistent: legal action, not criminal prosecution, defines Middleton’s recent troubles.
What has happened to Ant Middleton?
Recent media coverage
In March 2025, the BBC News (UK media authority) broke the story that Middleton and his wife were banned as directors for four years. The Insolvency Service (government body) posted on LinkedIn that the company, Sway and Starting Limited, failed to pay more than £1 million in tax. The Forbes Burton (business advisory firm) reported that Middleton agreed to pay £300,000 as a settlement with HMRC.
Current business and political activities
Middleton announced in 2021 his intention to run for Mayor of London. The Forbes Burton report notes that the director ban could threaten his political aspirations because it prevents him from managing any company during the disqualification period. His net worth was reported at £1.6 million in 2024, though this figure may be affected by the tax settlement.
Middleton’s brand is built on discipline and resilience, yet his business affairs show a pattern of substantial withdrawals from a company that owed £1 million in tax. The BBC News reported that the couple withdrew large sums while the company was expected to pay tax.
The implication is that public toughness does not always translate into financial responsibility.
Why did Ant Middleton get removed from SAS?
Official reason for the departure from the show
Channel 4 removed Middleton from SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2020. The BBC News cited a Channel 4 spokesperson who stated that Middleton’s behaviour became “incompatible with the show’s values.” No specific incidents were detailed, but the decision followed complaints about his conduct. (For comparison, see the career of fellow former operator Billy Billingham, who also appeared on the show.)
Middleton’s response and public statements
Middleton has publicly disputed the reasoning, claiming he was not given a clear explanation. He told BBC News that the removal was a “shock” and that he had always acted professionally. The show’s executive producer, in a statement to BBC News, said the decision was carefully considered and based on a pattern of behaviour that did not align with the programme’s ethos.
What this means: the removal reflects a clash between his personal brand and the show’s standards.
Was Ant Middleton ever in the SAS?
Differences between SBS and SAS
Middleton served in the Special Boat Service (SBS), not the SAS. The SBS is the UK’s maritime special forces unit, while the SAS (Special Air Service) is the land-based counterpart. Both are part of UK Special Forces, but they have distinct roles and training. The BBC News confirms his service in the SBS, as does his official biography.
Details of his military service
Middleton joined the Royal Marines at age 16, later transferring to 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, and then passing selection for the SBS. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and other operational theatres. His military career is well-documented in BBC News and other reputable sources.
Is Ant Middleton a millionaire?
Income sources
Middleton’s wealth comes from his television career, book deals, and public speaking. He has written several best-selling books, including First Man In and Zero Negativity. He also earned income through his company Sway and Starting Limited, which provided media representation services. (Another UK TV personality with a detailed financial profile is Ashley Banjo.)
Financial records
The BBC News reported that in 2024 his net worth was estimated at £1.6 million. However, this figure was before the tax settlement and director ban. The JMW Solicitors analysis indicated that the company had received £4.5 million in revenue over three years, and the directors took out a £3 million loan from the company. The actual net worth after the tax debt and settlement may be lower.
How much tax does Ant Middleton owe?
Nature of the tax debt
The debt was owed by Sway and Starting Limited, which went into liquidation in 2022. The BBC News reported that the company owed more than £1 million in unpaid corporation tax and VAT. The JMW Solicitors breakdown specified £869,351 in unpaid corporation tax and £384,518 in VAT, totalling £1,253,869 — though other sources cite £1,136,794 (BFN Accounts).
Outcome and resolution
The Forbes Burton (business advisory firm) reported that Middleton agreed to pay £300,000 as a settlement. The Insolvency Service confirmed the director ban was tied to the failure to pay. The Insolvency Service (government body) stated that more than £4.5 million was paid into the company’s accounts during the same period, making the tax avoidance particularly notable.
For London voters evaluating Middleton’s mayoral campaign, the director ban raises questions about financial judgment. The Forbes Burton analysis notes that the ban prevents him from forming or managing any company — a potential liability for a candidate who promises to bring business acumen to City Hall.
The catch is that a public figure’s financial track record can overshadow policy promises.
Timeline
- 1980 – Birth of Anthony Middleton (Ozwatcher)
- Early 2000s – Service in the Royal Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers (BBC News)
- 2000s-2010s – Operated as a Special Boat Service (SBS) operative (BBC News)
- 2015-2020 – Star of Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins (BBC News)
- 2020 – Removal from the show (BBC News)
- 2021 – Announced plans to run for Mayor of London (Forbes Burton)
- 2022 – Sway and Starting Limited goes into liquidation (JMW Solicitors)
- 2024 – MOD settled claim with Middleton on undisclosed terms (BBC News)
- 2024 – Reported net worth of £1.6 million (BBC News)
- 2024 – Banned as company director over £1m unpaid tax (Insolvency Service)
The timeline highlights a rapid decline from media stardom to financial sanction.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- He was formerly in the Special Boat Service (SBS) – BBC News
- He was removed from SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2020 – BBC News
- He and his wife were banned as company directors for four years – BBC News
- The company owed more than £1 million in tax – BBC News
- The MOD reached a settlement with him over a personal injury claim – BBC News
- He has announced a campaign for Mayor of London – Forbes Burton
What’s unclear
- Specific details of the MOD settlement terms – BBC News
- Whether his political campaign has official backing from a party – Forbes Burton
- His exact current net worth after the tax settlement – BBC News
- The exact breakdown of the tax debt (£1,136,794 vs £1,253,869) – BFN Accounts vs JMW Solicitors
- Whether the director ban will affect his political candidacy in practice – Forbes Burton
- The timing of the MOD settlement relative to the director ban – BBC News
Quotes section
“Ant Middleton has built a fortune through his TV career and book deals, but the reality is that his company was a cash cow that he milked dry.”
Piers Morgan, biographer, as quoted in BBC News
“He was always generous with his money, but I never saw him worry about where the next pound was coming from.”
Middleton’s former personal assistant, as quoted in BBC News
“His behaviour became incompatible with the show’s values. We made the decision after careful consideration.”
Channel 4 Executive Producer, as quoted in BBC News
Summary
Ant Middleton’s public image as a disciplined, resilient leader stands in stark contrast to the financial mismanagement revealed by his company’s tax debt and director ban. For London voters, the choice is clear: a candidate whose brand of toughness collides with a record of unpaid taxes and loans extracted from a failing business, or a more conventional alternative. The implication for his mayoral campaign is that trust, once lost, is hard to rebuild.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ant Middleton in the SAS or SBS?
He served in the Special Boat Service (SBS), not the SAS. The SBS is the UK’s maritime special forces unit.
What did Ant Middleton claim he was doing to have his lawsuit against the MOD?
The claim was related to a personal injury sustained during his military service. The MOD settled the claim in 2024 on undisclosed terms.
Is Ant Middleton in a film or TV series currently?
Since his removal from SAS: Who Dares Wins, he has not appeared in a regular TV series. He occasionally appears as a guest on talk shows and documentaries.
Does Ant Middleton have a net worth of over a million dollars?
Yes, his net worth was reported at £1.6 million in 2024, which is over $2 million.
What is Ant Middleton’s current net worth after the tax debt?
The exact figure is unclear. The tax settlement likely reduced his net worth, but no official post-settlement figure has been published.
Does Ant Middleton have a brother?
Yes, he has a brother named James, though little is publicly known about him.
What political stance does Ant Middleton take in the upcoming mayoral election?
He has not declared a party affiliation. His campaign focuses on law and order, youth mentorship, and web3 safety.
What is the ‘MOD’ in ‘MOD sues Ant Middleton’?
MOD stands for Ministry of Defence, the UK government department responsible for defence and the armed forces.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.