SAS Australia's Ant Middleton reveals surprising friendship with Jackson Warne: 'We've had some good heart to hearts'

• READ MORE: SAS Australia's Ant Middleton reveals the horrific moment that made him decide to quit drinking 

Ant Middleton has revealed his close friendship with Shane Warne's son Jackson.

The SAS Australia star tells the Mental As Anyone podcast that the pair share a close bond. 

'I talk to Jackson a hell of a lot,' We've had some good heart to hearts. Jackson is a man of few words, he is more introvert than he is extrovert,' the 43-year-old said. 

'We've built up a special relationship and you know, it's one that… we're definitely going to grow old together so yeah, I'm looking forward to it.' 

Ant says the 25-year-old, 'has got a lovely calming aura around him, he's super positive'.

The British star added that Jackson wants to be around 'positive' influences after the tragic death of his father. 

'This is why it's so important to surround yourself with positive people, people… that just make you feel better about yourself, that make you a better person, that give you that energy or that comfort,' he said. 

Legendary cricketer Shane Warne died aged 52 from a heart attack while on holiday in Koh Samui, Thailand.

It comes after Jackson revealed a personal victory on Instagram, having committed to an entire year without alcohol following his cricket star father's death.

In an inspiring display of resilience, he chose to honour his father's memory not with sorrow, but with a dedication to health and clarity.

Jackson shared the goal he set for himself at the start of 2023, to remain alcohol-free for the whole year.

He wanted to demonstrate a healthier way to cope with life's hardships, especially after experiencing the immense loss of his beloved father.

After his father tragically died, Jackson said he could've let his grief ruin him. 

Instead, he decided to focus on his health, and to channel his trauma into 'energy for life'.

He wrote on Instagram: 'This year I could've easily gone down hill. I could've drank a lot of alcohol, gambled too much, quit the gym, ate shit food and not socialised. Be miserable. But I didn't.

'I didn't because I used this trauma as energy for life. I surrounded myself with good people, went to the gym EVERY DAY, drank water, swam, laughed a lot and was consistent. 1 day at a time.'

He  said he has never felt happier and healthier, and encouraged his almost 100k followers to do the same. 

'Health is wealth. It costs $0 to exercise, laugh, drink water and go outside. If you do this I promise you'll be the happiest and healthiest you can be' he said.