The latest series ofCelebrity SAS: Who Dares Winshas descended into turmoil, with a shocking number of contestants already withdrawing from the brutal selection process. The reality show strips away the glamour, forcing stars to confront their limits in a relentless test of physical and mental endurance.
Under the unforgiving gaze of instructors Billy Billingham and Rudy Reyes, recruits face challenges designed to break them – from punishing endurance tests to confronting paralyzing fears. This year, however, the pressure proved too intense for several celebrities, triggering a wave of early departures within the 14-person lineup.
The first to falter wasMarried At First Sightstar Jessika Power, who broke down in tears after just two episodes. Relentless demands, including grueling exercises in the dark and a plunge into icy water, pushed her to the breaking point. “I can’t do this,” she confessed, her voice filled with despair, “I’m going to have to withdraw.”
Jessika’s decision proved contagious. Sunday’s episode revealed three more recruits abandoning the course.Neighboursicon Natalie Bassingthwaighte nearly lost consciousness during a task, realizing the process was far more demanding than she anticipated. She later admitted the challenges pushed her “beyond limits.”
Influencer Jack Joseph, 25, followed suit, admitting he lacked the physical strength to continue after scaling 27 flights of stairs. His blunt assessment – “I’m not physically fit enough…I’m done” – underscored the sheer intensity of the experience.
The mental strain also proved insurmountable for social media star Cole Anderson-James, who questioned his own resilience and ultimately chose to withdraw. A devastating blow came for actor Axle Whitehead, 45, who was medically removed after losing sensation in his arm, collapsing in tears.
The relentless attrition rate has left the remaining recruits battling not only the course, but also the weight of their colleagues’ failures. Those still vying for survival include Love Islanders Dani Dyer and Gabby Allen, rugby player Ben Cohen, Gladiator Toby Olubi, and cricketer Graeme Swann representing Team UK.
Team Australia is represented by former cricketer Brad Hodge, swimmer Emily Seebohm, andNeighboursstar Ryan Moloney, alongside Olympic swimmer Mack Horton, who famously made headlines with an embarrassing mishap just minutes into the first challenge.
Their goal: to complete the course, a feat achieved by only three celebrities last year – ex-footballer Troy Deeney, Michaella McCollum, and X Factor star Lucy Spraggan. The pressure is immense, the challenges unforgiving, and the stakes higher than ever.
Dani Dyer, who entered the competition before sustaining an injury duringStrictly Come Dancingtraining, confessed to being a long-time fan of the show, driven by a desire to test her own limits. “I’m nuts, but I think I will be good at it,” she declared, bracing herself for a battle against her inner demons.
Dyer anticipates the psychological aspect will be the most difficult, determined to silence the self-doubt that has plagued her in the past. She’s already faced a brutal introduction to the course, sustaining a bloody nose after a direct hit.
Aussie soap legend Ryan Moloney entered the competition with a fierce determination, vowing to “grab it and tear the balls off it.” He embraced the challenge as a unique opportunity, hoping to discover what he was truly capable of achieving.
