Ant Middleton has shared a video of his reaction to the coronavirus crisis sweeping the globe, instructing everyone to “calm the fuck down”.
But despite the SAS: Who Dares Wins star’s claim that “Covid-19 doesn’t bother me”, his remarks have bothered plenty of people on social media who have branded the former soldier “arrogant” and “irresponsible”.
In an Instagram post shared on Thursday, the dad-of-five insisted that the virus “doesn’t effect me” (sic).
He said: “Covid-19 doesn’t bother me. Why?!? Because I’m strong and able like the majority of us and it has no benefit or positive impact on my life.
“If you are vulnerable to Covid-19 then the ‘expert advice’ is yours to take on board, listen to it! Because it doesn’t effect me, it is merely ‘advice’! [sic].”
In the accompanying video, he went on: “A lot of people keep saying, ‘Ant listen to the experts!’ I have listened to the experts.
“The experts of Covid-19 say if you are vulnerable, self isolate and protect yourselves.
“If you are not vulnerable, then be sensitive to the situation and to the vulnerable, which I am being.”
He added: “If you ’re fit and healthy and able, then get out there. Don’t lock yourself away, don’t bulk buy, don’t bloody run for the hills.”
However, his views didn’t go down well with many people on Twitter...
As of Thursday, some 144 people in the UK had died after testing positive for the virus, including six in Scotland, two in Wales and one in Northern Ireland, according to the latest Department of Health and Social Care figures.
On Friday morning, the Welsh government confirmed a third person in Wales had died, bringing the UK total to at least 145.
The number of people to test positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Thursday is 3,269, up 643 from 2,626 at the same time on Wednesday, according to the gov.uk website.
Stay up to date with the latest coronavirus health advice from the NHS.