SAS Australia chief instructor Ant Middleton says Jackson Warne, 21, turned from a ‘timid lad to a capable young man in front of his eyes’ in emotional post after he quit the show
He withdrew from SAS Australia on Tuesday night’s emotion-filled episode.
And on Wednesday, the show’s chief instructor Ant Middleton posted an emotional tribute to the 21-year-old, after he voluntarily handed in his armband and elected to leave during a pack march.
Alongside a picture of him respectfully saluting Jackson, Ant, 39, wrote: ‘From a timid lad to a capable young man right in front of our eyes! Over to you @jacksonwarne18.’
Emotional: On Wednesday, SAS Australia chief instructor Ant Middleton posted an emotional tribute to 21-year-old Jackson Warne, after he voluntarily handed in his armband and elected to leave during a pack march
Jackson sweetly responded: ‘Thankyou Ant! It was an honour being on you’re course. Thankyou for teaching me so much in such a short amount of time and for believing in me!’
To which Ant replied: ‘To make it as far as you did for your age is commendable to say the least! Well done mate.’
Last night, Jackson’s cricket legend father Shane Warne, 51, said he could not be prouder of his son’s efforts on the program.
‘So proud of my son @jacksonwarne18 for pushing himself so hard on @sasaust7!!’ Shane wrote.
Sweet: Jackson replied saying he learned ‘so much’ from Ant, while the chief instructor commended him for reaching so far in the competition
Proud: Jackson’s father, cricket legend Shane Warne, said he could not be prouder of his son’s efforts on the program. Both pictured
‘Thank you to @antmiddleton and everyone who supported Jackson on his amazing journey. I’m so glad everyone got to see what a wonderful, caring and thoughtful young man Jackson is. Love you so much’.
During Tuesday’s episode, the father and son shared a touching moment when Jackson called his dad after turning in his armband and electing to leave the show.
Crying before his father even answered the phone, Jackson told the former cricketer he was returning home.
As Shane told his son that he looked ‘exhausted’, Jackson began to sob uncontrollably.
Out of the game: Crying before his 51-year-old dad even answered the phone, Jackson told the former cricketer he was returning home
‘Oh, mate. You know what I reckon you’ve done, you’ve pushed yourself so much. You’ve done unreal, mate,’ Shane reassured him.
He added: ‘We love you. We’re so proud of you. You’ve done awesome… Mate, we’re so proud of you. You’ve done unbelievably well.’
Overcome with emotion, Jackson continued to sob as his dad continued to tell him how much he loved him and how proud he was of him.
‘Go and smash 20 burgers!’ Shane added with a laugh.
At his limit: He’s usually the strong, silent type, but Jackson Warne broke down in tears while talking to his dad, Shane Warne, on Tuesday’s episode of SAS Australia