Anthony Middleton

Biography

Anthony Middleton or Ant Middleton is a reality star who was previously a British soldier who rose to fame with the adventure reality show- SAS: Who Dares Wins. He has previously served in Afghanistan. He was one of the instructors on the show. Anthony has appeared in reality shows- Mutiny, Escape as the captain.

Anthony Middleton is a sniper, soldier and survivor. 

Anthony Middleton was born on 22nd September 1981 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.

Anthony Middleton Family

Anthony lives in his home in Chelmsford, Essex with his Wife- Emilie Middleton (married in May 2006) & their Children. Anthony met his future wife Emilie in 2004 when she was working at a bar in Chelmsford, she was 24 at the time. For her it was 'Love at first sight'. They had periods of separation when Anthony went away to serve, they got married in Antigua and moved in to Taunton.

He has a son named Oakley Middleton from his past relationship. His children are:

1. Oakley Middleton (born December 2001)
2. Shyla Middleton (born September 2007)
3. Gabriel Middleton (born March 2009)
4. Priseïs Middleton (born September 2015)
5. Bligh Middleton (born October 2016)

Image: Anthony Middleton Family- Wife, Sons & Daughters

Anthony Middleton Facts & Trivia

• Growing up: He grew up in France form the age of 9 to age of 16, he attended the football school of excellence, he was scouted for Southampton FC.
• His father had passed away when he was very young, leaving him nobody to look up to.
• First Man In: A book on survival by Anthony Middleton, the book was published by Harper Collins in 2018 and it was Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller.
• He has been a promoter of O2 Sports.
• Anthony is very dedicated to work, he left his pregnant wife home (a mutual decision) to shoot for the new program, he came back on the due date.
• He has a rescue dog named Ant for the pet.
• He has a huge following on both Instagram and twitter
• National Army Museum London: He is the ambassador of the Museum
• He is an ambassador of Forces Cars Direct.
• He is an ambassador of Garmin.
• King's Badge: At the marine training he got King's Badge, a badge of honor given to best recruits
• He met Prince Harry at ICAP Annual Charity Day
• Controversy: He was alleged to have said SAS is no place for women
• 3 Life tips to his young self: Be yourself, stay humble, stay positive.
• He has worked in Afghanistan, Northern Ireland (Operation Banner), Sierra Leone, Macedonia  for work
• He rose to fame in 2015 after the first episode of the TV show (SAS: Who Dares Wins) was aired
• He has named his son Bligh after Captain William Bligh, who was stranded in the Pacific Ocean in 1790
• He has trained presidential security teams in West Africa
• He has been a supporter of "Under the Same Sun" charity foundation
• Weight Loss: Ant lost about 11 kg when he went for the rigorous training
• Nightclub Brawl: He got into a brawl in Chelmsford, Essex with PCs (Christopher Brooksbank & Katherine Alison) and was jailed for 4 months in 2013 on charges of 'unlawful wounding' of a police officer. Originally he was sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment, but luckily got out after 4 months.
• His diet includes: omega oils, whey protein, vitamins, steak, jacket potato, mash potato
• He is not much of a drinker, he does take some booze, but doesn't keep any beer in the fridge.
• Super power he wishes he had: invisibility.
• He trains four times a week, bench presses 160kg weight.
• His Tips for those seeking to enter special task forces:
  1. Listen very carefully
  2. Don't be a gym bunny
  3. Drink like a fish
  4. Be compassionate and empathetic
  5. Modesty trumps machismo
  6. Accept that pain is illusory
  7. Stay mentally switched on
  8. It’s OK to want your mum - for about one second
• Extreme Everest with Ant Middleton: In 2018 Ant climbed Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world for the TV show.
• Football Fan: He loves 'Glasgow Rangers' Scotland football club.
• 2020 Live Tour: You catch attend his live tour events in 2020 in any of the locations listed on his website
• Charity works:
  • RNLI: Ant is a celebrity Ambassador for the RNLI
  • The Prince's Trust: He is an ambassador for 'The Prince's Trust' (Royal National Lifeboat Institution)
  • SSAFA - The Armed Forces Charity: He is an ambassador of SSAFA- UK's oldest military charity that supports Veterans and their families
  • Give Us Time: He is an ambassador for the organization that organizes holiday events for the members in service & their families
• New York time square Billboards: He appeared on the New York time square billboard in December 2019, which according to him tops his 2019 achievements.

Anthony Middleton Career

Army Career

• Army: He got enlisted when he was just 16, he joined Royal Engineers, he has served in the British Army (1997-2002), British Royal Marines(2004), Special Boat service(2008-2012). His Service number in the British army was- 255700.
• Army units: He has served in- 9 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers, 40 Commando, Special Boat Service.
• Trinity: He has worked in 3 of UK's elite forces: Commando Course, P Company & UK Special Forces Selection
• Most Dangerous mission he has been in: He was leading about 40 men in Afghanistan, they were on a tough mission, they had to run through the land mine, his heart was in his mouth and there was no way, he was lucky to survive.
• Volunteer Cadet Corps: Anthony was appointed as the chief Cadet in the 'Volunteer Cadet Corps' of Royal Navy in November 2019. He is expected to inspire & mentor the Royal Marines, Naval Cadets

Others

• After 2012 he has worked as a personal security guard in South Africa.
• Mind Over Muscle: Anthony has been conducting Live shows in UK since 2017 where he shares stories of extreme adventure. He runs 'Mind Over Muscle Day Camps' to help the youth uncover their full physical and mental potential

Books

• SAS: Who Dares Wins: Leadership Secrets from the Special Forces(2017): Anthony co-wrote the book with his colleagues- Jason Fox, Matthew Ollerton, Colin Maclachlan
• First Man In: Leading from the Front(2018): The book became the #1 Sunday Times bestseller
• The Fear Bubble: Harness Fear and Live Without Limits(2019): His second book also became #1 Sunday Times bestseller

Anthony Middleton TV Shows/ Series List

• The Russell Howard Hour(2019)
• Skavlan(2019)
• Lorraine(2018)
• Mutiny(2017)
• Escape(2017) (Channel 4)
• SAS: Who Dares Wins (2015-) (channel 4 Reality Show)

Anthony Middleton Medals & Honors

• General Service Medal: For his service in the Northern Island
• NATO Medal: for his service in North Macedonia
• Operational Service Medal: For his service in Afghanistan he was awarded the medal
• Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal: Was awarded the medal in 2002 for his services to the British Royal Army
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal: Was awarded the medal in 2012 for his services to the British Royal Army

Awards

• Platinum award: Anthony was honored with the 'Platinum award' by the UK Fitness Awards in 2019 for his contribution to fitness in UK. For his contribution towards healthy physiological & physical lifestyle
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Anthony Middleton Timeline

• 1981: Birth
• 1990: Football training in Rural France
• 1997: Joined the Royal Engineers
• 1999: Duty in Northern Ireland
• 2001: Duty in Macedonia
• 2002: Joined the Royal Marines
• 2006: Training in Sierra Leone
• 2007: Duty in Afghanistan
• 2008: Special Boat Services
• 2010: Duty in Afghanistan
• 2012: Retirement
• 2015: Worked on TV shows
• 2017: Reality shows- Mutiny, Escape
• 2019: 'Mind over body' tours
• 2020: Live Tours

Anthony Middleton Quotes

• It is good to have 2nd and 3rd opinion, first opinion should be yours because you are the experienced.
• Strategy is all about preparation and planning. Planning and preparation is key to be successful anywhere 
• If you are not happy in your job, don't do it.
• Snapping at people is a bad indication, in extreme pressure a leader should be calm and collective, you should take responsibility.
• If someone is fighting extreme adversity, they need to be true with themselves and whoever they are dealing with, if you are confident about your capabilities just be true. Do what you know you can do and be truthful to people
• I don't think anyone in particular inspires me, the way I was brought up, I try to inspire myself to succeed for myself and for my family. I don't look at other people and want to be like them, I look at other people and think what can I learn from them.
• I want to be inspiration for my kids, something that I never had.
• Everyone fears failure, If you will you will have to get back again and try.
• I want to inspire young people, to let them know "If you put your mind into things You would be surprised how much you achieve"
• Leaders aren't born, they are made.
• Never assume, never think you deserve,  sometimes our best just isn't good enough, deal with it, learn from it and bounce back
• Stick together but choose wisely
• You have to humble yourself when it come to your weaknesses
• Everyone talks about "working out" but you rarely hear about "working in"
• If you fall, dust yourself off  and get straight back on it! Ok..  maybe check for broken bones first
• [About terrorist attack] We need to step back, analyze the situation, deal with suitably. Sudden reactions don't help.
• I get very bored of things, I love challenges
• I'm a very positive person and there was not one moment on selection when I thought I’d quit
• I get massive kick to see people succeed, I want to give them tools so that they can better themselves
• It makes me laugh when people say they’ve got to where they are all by themselves. Your friends, Family, those who bring you coffee are all part of the team that has helped you succeed
• The whole world is one big team and we fail to recognize that.
• I was quite selfish and put my career ahead of my family for a long time.
• I call my wife "the long-haired general", she is the only woman who bosses me.
• I was very physical as a youngster, I wanted to be self sufficient, I wanted challenges, that is why I joined the British Army.
• I relax when I'm with my family, they give me a sense of belonging, everything I do is for them, I relax when my wife annoys me, I relax when my kids are jumping around me.
• Life has been slow for me after retirement.
• Main thing I miss is combats, I miss the intensity, rush of emotions, the mix of emotions is a powerful drug.
• Ego is the difference between a leader and a great leader! If you've never reached the top then there's probably one thing stopping you
• People are too wrapped up in cotton wool. We should test our limits
• I have a soft spot for children, They are the future and adults have a responsibility to nurture them.
• The power of your mind is stronger than physicality
• There are two lives you can be living, the one you are living now and the better version which is just a step away!
• I'm passionate about giving back and building people’s self esteem through my own life experiences.. My reward is seeing people realize their potential.
•  If we don’t allow children to make mistakes in life then they’ll never make anything! There is no cotton wool in the real world, so be a responsible parent and prepare them accordingly
• [On his wife] I call her The Long-Haired General. She’s the only woman who can boss me around
• I have failed as a father and I have failed as a husband when I was in the military. Because, especially in the special forces, I prioritized the military, everything was military, military, military

Sources

• Ant Middleton Wiki
• The Sun interview *
• Metro Interview *