Ant Middleton has backtracked over his controversial coronavirus comments.
The SAS: Who Dares Wins star left fans baffled after he insisted that the global outbreak ‘doesn’t affect him’, branding himself an ‘expert at living life’.
Yes, seriously.
And, after facing a lot of backlash, the 39-year-old has done a huge U-turn, urging his followers to ‘follow common sense’.
Just hours after posting the first video – which is still visible on his Instagram page – he attempted to clarify his words.
‘I am an outspoken man, I say it as I see it. I believe the strong have to look after the weak, always,’ he began a lengthy message. ‘It is our duty. Covid-19 doesn’t bother me for myself. Myself people. My health. But SELF-ISOLATE and follow common sense.
‘Amongst all the panic, we must stay calm and always challenge the situation. It is not in my blood to accept defeat without some form of resistance or knowledge of knowing that I’ve done everything in my power to fight that threat that presents itself.
‘I still continue that fight and so should you! Some people in UK have shown their true colours, happy to take rations away from the elderly and vulnerable. You know who you are!!! The positives are in crisis, when the chips are down, you learn what kind of person you are. It’s time to look at yourselves and your loved ones and keep fighting.
‘And the way we are going to fight the panic and this f**king COVID-19 is to keep fighting, keep positive and let’s maintain a good old British fighting spirit.’
He continued: ‘You are the backbone of the country and now we all need to do our bit. 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!
‘So this is my positive. As we have a long war ahead of us. THIS IS A CALL TO ARMS!!!
‘I want to share our CHAMPIONS. YES, the keyworkers and NHS staff on the front line. Our new warriors. NHS staff! Our armed forces! The care and social workers! All working around the clock to keep the nation safe.
‘Whatever we face, we do with a positive mind set. I want to help share the hundreds of stories we hear every day of those working for us. Without thanks.’
However, Ant’s backtracking didn’t leave some of his fans impressed, with many still calling out his earlier comments.
One replied: ’Massive u turn, much?
‘Someone changed their tune,’ another posted.
While a follower suggested it was: ‘A bit too late to backtrack now you’ve told your however many thousand followers to go outside and play.’
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