Comedian Zoe Lyons and ex-Minister Matt Hancock are among the 16 names taking part in the fifth series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.  Across an epic SEVEN one-hour episodes, these famous faces will abandon their glamourous lifestyles as they attempt to survive the most unforgiving jungle in the world, in Thung Ui, North Vietnam.  

No allowances or exceptions will be made for this group, who will be tested to their mental and physical limits, through a series of brutal tasks and interrogations. 

Taking part in the punishing jungle phase of SAS selection - one of the toughest environments faced by Special Forces operatives – are Former Health Secretary, Matt Hancock (44); Singers, Gareth Gates (38); Michelle Heaton (43) and Siva Kaneswaran (34); TV Personality, Danielle Lloyd (39); TV Presenter, Melinda Messenger (51); Ex-Premier League Footballer, Jermaine Pennant (40), Ex-Welsh Rugby International, Gareth Thomas (48), Reality TV Stars James “Arg” Argent (35), Montana Brown (27), Teddy Soares (28), Amber Turner (29), Comedian, Zoe Lyons (51), Actor, Kirsty-Leigh Porter (34), Great British Olympian, Perri Shakes-Drayton (34) and Paralympic Gold Medalist, Jon-Allan Butterworth MBE,

Which celebrity recruits will remain to discover they have what it takes to pass this unique SAS selection course?

There will be no special treatment for any of the celebrities, as they confront surprising truths about themselves, to discover their true selves. Not everyone will have what it takes to make it to the end of this course run by the elite team of ex-Special Forces operators - Chief Instructor, Billy Billingham MBE and his team of Directing Staff (DS), Foxy (Jason Fox), Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver. The DS don’t care how famous the recruits are, how many social media followers they have or what they have done before this. As soon as they enter the selection process, their celebrity status and luxuries are stripped away.

Reflecting on their Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins experience, the celebrity recruits commented:

Matt Hancock: “Being on SAS was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. It's one of the toughest physical and mental things I've ever done. It really opens your eyes and makes you look into yourself. After coming through the most challenging period as Health Secretary during the pandemic, I wanted to push my limits. It’s safe to say the course tested my resilience!”

Gareth Gates: “WOW, this was an experience like no other. I learnt very quickly that there is a difference between being gym fit and battle fit.  I was so looking forward to doing this show, to test myself, to see what courage, grit and determination I really had.  I would encourage anyone who wants one of the ultimate, physical and mental challenges to give this a go.  It was an amazing, brutal, unique experience!”

Danielle Lloyd: “This experience was just life changing. It's made me positive and ready to take on the world.”

Jermaine Pennant: “I wanted to push myself to my limits, but you underestimate how brutal it actually is until your body's going through it!”

Jon-Allan Butterworth: “My military career was cut short, so I wanted to see whether I have what it takes to survive in a world the DS think is normal.”

Melinda Messenger: “It was incredible, the most intensely physically challenging thing I've done. I would say it was surreal, but I'd also say it was way harder than it looks on TV!”

Michelle Heaton: “I loved being on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins because it put me in situations that I would never put myself in normally. It got me to think outside the box. It got me uncomfortable. It’s only then you learn where your real limits are.”

Siva Kaneswaran: “If you dig being tortured for a few days and being dragged out your comfort zone, then this is the show for you! In a weird way, it was very fulfilling in the sense that you face your fears and you come out of it a new person, a new improved person.”

Teddy Soares: “The whole experience was overwhelming, but for me, it was one of the experiences that I will never, ever be able to live down.”

Gareth Thomas: “There's not many experiences that allow you the opportunity to look inside yourself and see what you're truly made of. I just knew I had to say yes to this so I could work out who I really am, and it totally lived up to my expectations.”

Perri Shakes Drayton: “It was an incredible experience from start to finish.  There are so many words I can use to describe it. I loved every minute of it.”

James “Arg” Argent: “It's the type of show that pushes you to breaking point and it's something I'll never forget.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Zoe Lyons: “It was the worst ‘all-inclusive break’ I’ve ever been on. There's a bit of me that feels incredibly fortunate that I got to participate in the show because it does test you, and there's quite a bit of fun to be had if you don't mind losing a few toenails!” 

Amber Turner: “Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins It was the Hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, the most physically & emotionally demanding experience I’ve ever but the best experience all in one. I loved every moment of it (except having that bag over my head) and wouldn’t think twice about doing it again!”

Kirsty-Leigh Porter: “Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was absolutely brutal but the most AMAZING experience and dare I say it, one I wish I could do again!! And the DS are actual real-life superheroes – the strength they hold is unnatural. They are absolutely amazing!”

Montana Brown: “You don’t get the opportunity to do something this hard in life so I couldn’t say no.  This was the hardest challenge I’ve ever experienced but I proved to myself that I’m actually quite tough and I can do anything I put my mind to.”

Chief Instructor Billy says: “SAS selection course follows the ethos of the regiment. Self-motivation, self-discipline. pursuit of excellence and the will to never give up. Our recruits will be pushed emotionally, physically and mentally beyond anything they have ever experienced. The standards will never drop but most of the recruits will!!! No concessions, No excuses !! Only results …”

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins returns to Channel 4 on Tuesday 26 September at 9.30pm and continues every Sunday at 9pm from 1 October.