SAS Australia's chief instructor Ant Middleton has finally weighed in on a long-running rumour about season two recruit Sam Burgess.
In June, Fox Sports alleged that the NRL star, 32, had sensationally 'choked out' an instructor during a 'kidnapping' exercise for the upcoming season of the military-style Seven show.
According to the publication, producers had to call an ambulance after Burgess put one of his 'abductors' in a head lock during the high-pressure challenge.
Breaking his silence: SAS Australia's Ant Middleton (left) has revealed there is truth to rumours that Sam Burgess (right) 'choked out' a soldier during hostage situation challenge on SAS Australia this year
Network bosses refused to comment at the time, but Middleton finally admitted that there is truth to the rumours during an interview with News Corp on Sunday.
'[Burgess] tried to get out of a situation and he used what he had at his disposal and that was his big arms,' Middleton said of the controversial incident.
However, Middleton revealed that Burgess didn't attack one of the four main directing staff, joking: 'He's not that brave'.
![What else are they for? '[Burgess] tried to get out of a situation and he used what he had at his disposal and that was his big arms,' Middleton said of the controversial incident](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/09/12/01/47801883-9981619-image-m-52_1631406882852.jpg)
What else are they for? '[Burgess] tried to get out of a situation and he used what he had at his disposal and that was his big arms,' Middleton said of the controversial incident
Rather, it was a member of the less senior 'Hunter Force' who help run challenges on the show.
Middleton assured fans that the incident was completely 'controlled', explaining: 'When things like that happen we do step in, of course we do. We say, 'Listen, good effort, enough is enough, let's move on.''
According to the report by Fox Sports, the hostage challenge saw Burgess and several other recruits thrown into the back of a car and driven at 100km/h by two instructors posing as kidnappers.
'He's not that brave': However, Middleton revealed that Burgess didn't attack one of the four main directing staff, but rather a member of the show's 'Hunter Force'
