Channel 4 has issued a scathing statement confirming that Ant Middleton will not be returning as host of SAS: Who Dares Wins.

The broadcaster said that the 40-year-old, who has fronted the notoriously-tough endurance show since 2015, was let go for issues relating to his "personal conduct".

The news comes just weeks before the show is due to return, with both a new regular series and a celebrity edition having been filmed last year with Middleton still in charge.

Channel 4 said: "Ant Middleton will not be taking part in future series of SAS: Who Dares Wins.

"Following a number of discussions Channel 4 and Minnow Films have had with him in relation to his personal conduct it has become clear that our views and values are not aligned and we will not be working with him again."

In his own statement, Middleton said: "After five years on the show it just felt like I had achieved everything I could with the format.

"There's so many other formats that I am working on now that feel more suited to who I am today.

"It's been a brilliant experience being on that show but I'm honestly happy to let some new blood come in and put their own stamp on it."

Last summer Middleton came under fire for a series of tweets criticising Black Lives Matter protestors, although the exact reasons for his axing from the show have not been disclosed.