Ant Middleton teases Andy Burnham by-election challenge as SAS Who Dares Wins star issues stern statement

Josh Simons, the 32-year-old father of three who has represented the constituency for two years, announced his resignation on Thursday to clear the path for Mr Burnham’s candidacy.

However, Mr Middleton has suggested he’ll provide an obstacle to Mr Burnham’s political hopes with a defiant post on social media.

Following news of Mr Burnham’s desire to stand in the Makerfield by-election, Mr Middleton took to X to share his thoughts.

“A couple of by-elections coming up!” he began.

“A move back to the UK may just be on the cards to help the country I spent well over a decade defending to give a proper helping hand to turn it around and make it safe once more!”

And it didn’t take long for several of his fans to rally behind the claim. “Thank you for your service Ant. But I think you’re right, your country needs you again,” one X user replied.

A second weighed in: “We need someone like you to replace Sadiq Khan. That moron has failed London. You want to suit and boot back up for your country then I welcome it!”

And a third echoed: “We need you Ant. Absolute s**t show at the min.” (sic)

Mr Middleton, who resides in Dubai, has made no secret of his desire to shake up British politics, previously speaking at a Reform UK party conference in 2024.

He initially teased opposing Sadiq Khan in the London mayoral election, but Reform UK opted for Laila Cunningham as its candidate. Mr Middleton said he’d run as an independent.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also vowed to give Mr Burnham a run for his money in the upcoming by-election.

“We look forward to the Makerfield by-election,” he said on X. “Reform will throw absolutely everything at it.”

After confirming his resignation to pave the way for Mr Burnham, Mr Simons revealed he had spoken with the Greater Manchester mayor earlier in the week, stating: “I just couldn’t say no.”

The departing MP described stepping aside as “the most difficult decision of my life,” adding that it was taken jointly with his wife as a family.

Mr Simons said the Labour Party had been “imploding” and that Makerfield was “where Andy Burnham has lived for 25 years.”

The political turmoil engulfing Downing Street had already intensified on Thursday when Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary, becoming the first cabinet member to move against Mr Starmer openly.

In his resignation letter, Mr Streeting wrote: “Having lost confidence in your leadership, I have concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled to do so,” referring to remaining in post.

He accused the prime minister of offering “a vacuum” where vision was needed and “drift” where direction was required.

James Murray was appointed as Mr Streeting’s replacement on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, Angela Rayner announced she had been cleared by HMRC over her tax affairs, having stepped down as deputy prime minister in September 2025 after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on a property in Hove.

The Ashton-under-Lyne MP said she “welcomed” the conclusions and had been “exonerated” of deliberately seeking to avoid tax.

The constituency, which Labour holds with a majority of 5,399, saw a significant swing towards Reform in the recent local elections, with the party having secured 18.7 per cent of the vote in 2024.