He's the epitome of toughness on screen, but now hard-edged SAS Australia DS Chief Inspector Ant Middleton has bared his soul in a candid new interview.

Speaking on The Matt Haycox Show podcast this week, Ant, 43,  delved into personal tales ranging from his military days, a stint in prison, to the emotionally charged moment he last cried.

A poignant revelation was the harrowing incident that made him reconsider his relationship with alcohol.

Elucidating on the military's pervasive drinking culture, Ant shared the heart-stopping moment he decided to quit the booze.

Recalling a particularly dark day, he said, 'There was one moment when I was at a funeral burying a friend that had died. I was that drunk I was asking where he was.'

'I didn't even realise that I was at his funeral. That moment was such a reality check that the alcohol had started to take charge here,' he added.

'So that's when I knew from then on I had to cut back on alcohol.'

Not only did he candidly discuss his personal struggles, but he also paid tribute to his unwavering pillar of strength, his wife Emilie.

Celebrating nearly two decades of marital bliss, he acknowledged her relentless support during the most turbulent periods of his life.

Drawing the curtain further on his personal life, Ant detailed a touching moment from 2022, whilst tackling the world's second highest peak, K2.

Amidst the treacherous ascent, an encounter with a fellow climber led to an overwhelming outpour of emotion.

'I was probably halfway up and it's so steep... She looked at me and said "it's beautiful up there, and you're almost there". She looked at my stomach and read their [his family's] names out perfectly. She said "they'll be extremely proud of you when you stand on that summit",' Middleton reminisced.

'She didn't have to stop and say that, but I was an emotional wreck. I just sunk onto my knees for a second and started crying... That was the last time I shed a tear.'