In reply to Babika:
Agree with the last couple of posts.
I'd not heard of Ant Middleton before this thread and was vaguely aware of the SAS: Who Dares Wins programme (though hadn't watched any of them)
I watched the Everest programme then to get a broader perspective watched an episode of the SAS programme.
I was surprised that I enjoyed the SAS programme as much as I did. I thought it was well structured and saw a genuine evolution in the 'participants'. I also thought the role the 'instructors' played was spot on.
It was clear in the Everest programme that Ant wasn't/isn't a mountaineer (though he'd never claimed to be either) but he illustrated that with reasonable fitness (ex SAS) and a few weeks training (and a decent weather window) a successful ascent is possible though what that says about the actual status of climbing Everest is another point altogether.
He seemed genuine enough though out of his depth and comfort zone at some points (his words) respectful of the 'locals' and aware of the Everest industry. Waiting to be the last off the 'top of the world' was pretty stupid, which he seemed to admit in retrospect.
Other than that didn't think it was as bad as some made out in this thread. I'd imagine time in the SAS would supply more interesting stories for the dinner parties than climbing (?) the worlds highest mountain though.