SAS Australia instructor Ollie Ollerton was SACKED from the British version of the show

‘Disappointed and shocked’: SAS Australia instructor Ollie Ollerton was SACKED from the UK version of the show two months ago as part of a ‘diversity drive’ – and Ant Middleton threatened to leave with him

He’s currently putting celebrities through their paces as a DS (directing staff) member on Channel Seven’s gruelling new show, SAS Australia.

But unbeknownst to viewers, military veteran Ollie Ollerton faced a huge career low just months earlier – when he was sacked from the UK version of the show after seven seasons.

In August, the 43-year-old told The Sun he was ‘disappointed and shocked’ to have been axed from SAS: Who Dares Wins, amid claims it was part of a ‘diversity drive’ after network bosses no longer wanted four white men fronting the show. 

Gone! Military veteran Ollie Ollerton (pictured) was sacked from the UK version of SAS Australian after five years, in an apparent ‘diversity drive’

Ollie said: ‘Five years ago we put our heads above the parapet for the first time ever – threatening our security as former members of the Special Forces – to bring that show to fruition. I expected that loyalty to be reciprocated. It clearly wasn’t.’

He had been a stalwart on the Channel 4 show alongside DS Ant Middleton, Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox and Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham since its inception in 2015.

Ollie added that his fellow instructors threatened to quit when they discovered he was leaving – but he convinced them to stay.

Furious:  In August, the 43-year-old told The Sun he was 'disappointed and shocked' to have been axed from SAS: Who Dares Wins, amid claims it was part of a 'diversity drive' because network bosses no longer wanted four white men fronting the show

Furious:  In August, the 43-year-old told The Sun he was ‘disappointed and shocked’ to have been axed from SAS: Who Dares Wins, amid claims it was part of a ‘diversity drive’ because network bosses no longer wanted four white men fronting the show

They will most likely be joined by a new DS member next season who fits in with diversity guidelines, but no official line-up has been confirmed.

Ollie added: ‘There are two types of people in this world, those who can do the job and those who can’t. I don’t care what colour they are.

‘I feel people forcing the diversity agenda upon us are actually keeping racism alive and creating a divide. It doesn’t allow us to unify.’

At the time, a spokesperson for Channel 4 told MailOnline: ‘Ollie continues to be associated with the SAS: Who Dares Wins Brand as a DS for SAS: Who Dares Wins Australia.

Team: Ollie (far left) had been a stalwart on the Channel 4 show alongside DS Ant Middleton (second right), Jason 'Foxy' Fox (far right) and Mark 'Billy' Billingham (second left) since its inception in 2015

Team: Ollie (far left) had been a stalwart on the Channel 4 show alongside DS Ant Middleton (second right), Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox (far right) and Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham (second left) since its inception in 2015

‘Ollie has made an exceptional contribution to SAS: Who Dares Wins and the expertise and experience he brought to the Directing Staff team has been much valued. We wish him great success with his future projects.’

Though he is no longer a part of the UK season, Ollie has become a fan favourite on the Australian version of the show.

The hit series – which has smashed ratings ever since its launch show last week – has already seen the likes of Roxy Jacenko and Schapelle Corby quit following a string of incredibly strenuous challenges.

Other celebrities include Candice Warner, Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins and former Bachelorette Ali Oetjen.

SAS Australia continues Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel Seven

Draining: The hit series - which has smashed ratings ever since its launch show last week - has already seen the likes of Roxy Jacenko and Schapelle Corby (pictured) walk following a string of incredibly strenuous challenges

Draining: The hit series – which has smashed ratings ever since its launch show last week – has already seen the likes of Roxy Jacenko and Schapelle Corby (pictured) walk following a string of incredibly strenuous challenges

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