A former winner of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins has pulled back the curtain on the brutal, unseen elements of the hit Channel 4 show that push contestants to their absolute limit.
The Unseen Exhaustion: Guard Duty and the Buddy System
AJ Pritchard, who triumphed on the celebrity version of the Special Air Service selection course in 2022, has disclosed a critical part of the process that never makes the final edit. Speaking to the Mirror on behalf of Paddy Power Games, the dancer revealed that relentless 24/7 guard duty is a major, hidden challenge.
"Someone is always on watch 24/7, so your sleep is constantly broken," Pritchard explained. "You might be up at 3am on guard, then back to bed for an hour before something else happens." He added that the enforced buddy system, where contestants must go everywhere together, piles on extra fatigue that viewers are unaware of.
Contestants Crack Under Pressure in New Series
Pritchard's insights come as the latest series, which began with 14 famous faces, witnesses a string of dramatic departures. The intensity proved too much early on, with several stars withdrawing just four episodes in.
Last week saw the exit of social media personalities Jack Joseph and Cole Anderson James, alongside the medical withdrawal of Australian actor Axle Whitehead. They followed Jessika Power from Married At First Sight Australia and actor Nataly Bassingthwaighte out of the competition.
Pritchard, who reached the 2022 finale with his brother Curtis, Maisie Smith, Ferne McCann, and Calum Best, knows the mental and physical toll better than most. He once claimed his time on Strictly Come Dancing was tougher than SAS training, highlighting the unique demands of each challenge.
Who Has the Grit to Survive SAS?
With the current crop of celebrities facing ever-tougher trials, speculation turns to who possesses the necessary fortitude. Pritchard weighed in on which of his former colleagues could handle the ordeal.
"Physically, Gorka Márquez would be great. He's always training and very disciplined," he said. "But it's not just about physique, it's about mental grit." For the female contestants, he suggested Nadiya Bychkova would be a surprise standout due to her powerful drive and mental resilience.
Pritchard passionately defended the show's uncompromising nature ahead of the next episode on January 18. "It's important that it doesn't become softened or watered down. That would ruin it," he stated. "It's meant to be uncomfortable, challenging, and raw. That's why it has such an impact."
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins continues, airing Sundays and Mondays at 9pm on Channel 4.
