The latest series of Channel 4's gruelling reality show, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, has been hit by a mass exodus, with five contestants throwing in the towel under the immense pressure of the simulated Special Forces selection process.
A Wave of Early Departures
The 2026 series, which pits a mix of UK and Australian celebrities against the infamous SAS Selection, has already seen a significant number of drop-outs from its 14-strong lineup. The first to leave was Married At First Sight star Jessika Power, 31, who broke down in tears after just two episodes, unable to cope with the relentless demands of the directing staff, led by instructors Billy Billingham and Rudy Reyes.
Following a punishing sequence of press-ups, burpees in the dark, and immersion in freezing water, Jessika admitted defeat, stating, "I can’t do this; I’m going to have to withdraw." Her departure set a precedent for what was to come.
The Physical and Mental Breaking Point
In the upcoming episode airing on Sunday night, three more celebrities are set to quit. Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaighte, 50, is the first, nearly fainting during a task. Sources indicate she underestimated the toughness of the process, a sentiment she echoed on Instagram, saying the challenges pushed her "beyond limits."
She is followed by 25-year-old influencer Jack Joseph, who quit after climbing 27 flights of stairs, conceding, "I’m not physically fit enough, to be honest. I’m done." Similarly, social media personality Cole Anderson-James, 28, withdrew, feeling he was not "mentally strong enough" to continue.
The final withdrawal came from Home and Away actor Axle Whitehead, 45, whose fate was decided by medics after he lost sensation in his arm, reducing him to tears. A source described the situation to The Sun, noting, "The celebrities were dropping like flies."
The Survivors and Their Motivations
Despite the spate of departures, several recruits are persevering. For Team UK, the remaining contestants are Love Island's Dani Dyer and Gabby Allen, rugby player Ben Cohen, Gladiator Toby Olubi, and cricketer Graeme Swann.
Team Australia still boasts former cricketer Brad Hodge, swimmer Emily Seebohm, Neighbours star Ryan Moloney, and Olympic swimmer Mack Horton, who infamously wet himself just ten minutes into the first challenge.
Many entered with a determination to test themselves. Dani Dyer, a self-confessed "massive fan of the show," said she wanted to push beyond her comfort zone and "stop listening to the voices in [her] head." She has already been seen sporting a bloody nose from being punched. Australian soap legend Ryan Moloney, 46, stated he joined to "grab [it] and tear the balls off it," seeing it as a huge, once-in-a-lifetime challenge.
They will all be hoping to emulate the success of last year's three finishers: ex-footballer Troy Deeney, media personality Michaella McCollum, and X Factor star Lucy Spraggan.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins continues on Channel 4, testing the limits of celebrity endurance like never before.
