INTERVIEWS WITH THE DIRECTING STAFF

BILLY:

So what can we expect from this series? 

You can expect quality in a good form. You can expect atmosphere, and a challenging atmosphere between the two groups, which is what they are, because we split them into British and Australian. The tensions are there because it’s not just personal, it’s national. It’s quite funny because as DS, we were talking about this. Normally you have to push people every second, every day, to get everything done. With this, we’re almost refereeing because we push them too hard to get the enthusiasm and momentum out of them. They’re not just themselves, as I say, they’re their nation. You’ll expect a lot of commitment from all of them in everything they do, and it’s going to be entertaining.

Do you take this series to a new level?

It’s a new level, as it always is. Every time we do this, whenever we run a course, we do it exactly like we would in the Special Forces in the SAS. At the end of every course, we sit down and say, right, what can we improve on? What can we make better without cutting corners? That’s exactly what we do. This is the newest version, and it’s intense. I think the viewers are going to love it.

Was there anything different that the four of you did this year in terms of teamwork?

It’s different every year. The beauty of what we’ve got now is the team we’ve got. I think it’s perfect because we’re all individuals. We’ve all got different ways of thinking. We’re all four thrown into one pot, and when you mix that up, the outcome is amazing. We’re not all just thinking about shouting at them or pushing them in the same way. We all have different personalities and a wide amount of experience to bounce off. That’s great for us, but also for them, because they don’t know what they’re going to get from one moment to the next, which is exactly how it should be. It keeps them on their toes.

Foxy can be sympathetic or seem like Mr Grumpy. I’m Mr Angry, or at least they think I am. I’m actually Mr Why. You’ve got Rudy, coming out with comical things but also very deep stuff. Then you’ve got Chris, who’s no nonsense. We all bring a different level of experience in the way we act—or rather, the way we are.

What’s your favourite part of doing the series?

I love all of it, but if I have to pinpoint one thing, it’s the mirror room. There’s something about that room. No matter who you are or how guarded you are, all your barriers fall away. Sitting in front of us, whoever the two DS are at that moment, something magic happens. People feel scared but secure at the same time. That’s what it’s all about.

The reason I love the mirror room is because they expose themselves—not to break them down, but to take them back to their vulnerability. Once you reach vulnerability, there’s no other way to go but upwards. Every single person in the world has something they’re not comfortable with, something holding them back or sitting in a dark space. That mirror makes everybody talk about it. They get it off their chest, whatever it is, and they walk out taller, lighter, and a different version of themselves.

What I love even more is the indirect impact. When the show goes out, millions of people watch it, especially younger generations. We get hundreds and hundreds of messages saying, “If my hero can talk about vulnerability, so can I.” People tell us we’ve helped them out of dark spaces. That’s a fact. That’s why I love it—it has a global impact.

Whose mirror room interview was most impactful for you?

That’s a good question. I think I did Dani Dyer. It was a pleasure to listen to her story and backstory. She’s not walking in the shadow of her father. She’s her own individual, doing her own thing, getting the best out of life through her own means. They’re all impactful in different ways, but hers stood out to me.

Who surprised you the most in this series? 

The women especially surprised me. Dani and Gabby on the bridge, and really all the women. Not surprised in a negative way—because I’m used to it now—but they have an incredible mindset. People don’t realise this, but women have it. They turn up shy and covered up, and by day two, they don’t care anymore. Hair doesn’t matter; appearance doesn’t matter. They just nail it.

They get shouted at the same, they do the same distance, the same weight, and they’re incredibly resilient mentally. Men tend to worry more about physique and ego. The smaller women in particular are just so tough and ballsy. Brits and Australians alike—they stop worrying about being semi-dressed and they smash it.

Is being a good SAS/Special Forces soldier more about mental strength than physical ability?

Absolutely—it’s mental. In the show and in the real SAS, it’s not about image. We don’t care how big you are, your past, or who you think you are. We want to know who you actually are. This isn’t a Spartan race; it’s an individual process. Everyone does the same distance and carries the same weight, but we assess people individually.

We want to see determination, the ability to fail and bounce back. Everyone will fail at some point. What matters is whether you give up or how you find another way forward. That’s exactly what the SAS looks for.

What is the toughest physical challenge?

The milling—boxing—is always the toughest. It’s nerve-wracking. You don’t know who you’re fighting. It could be a man against a woman, which challenges everything people think. It’s not about advocating violence; it’s about reality. In real situations, you don’t get to choose who’s in front of you.

Physically, it’s horrendous. One minute of fighting feels endless. Your lungs burn, your arms feel like lead, and mentally it’s gladiatorial. That’s why it’s always the hardest.

How is it for you watching the interrogation phase?

It’s frustrating and tough to watch. Interrogation is a major part of the process—it’s where people are pushed to their absolute limits after days of sleep deprivation, food deprivation, and emotional exhaustion. It’s also realistic. Being captured is the worst scenario for any special forces soldier.

We step back and let another team assess them with fresh eyes. It’s fair, but it’s hard to watch when someone has done so well. At the same time, the interrogators are very good at knowing when there’s no benefit in pushing someone further.

What’s the hardest part of your job that viewers don’t see?

The hours. Recruits do about 18 hours a day. We do 20 to 21 hours. When they go to bed, we still have another two hours of work. We live in tents, in the desert, just like them. The only difference is we know what’s coming and have access to food and phones. It’s exhausting, and we’re human too.

And your favourite part of the job?

Seeing people walk away as a better version of themselves. Whether they leave on day one or make it to the end, they all leave knowing the truth about themselves. They realise what really matters—health, people, and simple things in life. That transformation is the best part.

Did you ever serve in North Africa?

No, I trained and served in many deserts, but not North Africa. My first time there was with the show.

Do you find heat or cold more difficult?

I prefer the cold—Arctic, freezing environments. I don’t mind humid heat, but dry desert heat is unforgiving. If I had to choose, I’d take the cold.

FOXY: 

What would you say was the most different part of this series compared to the previous series?

This year the tasks were bigger and the environment was more intense. We’ve used these environments before, but this time we really leaned into making the tasks way more intense. We were also pitching the Brits against the Aussies, which raised the ante. We wanted to see whether they had a bit of grit about them and whether they wanted to fight for the reputation of their own nations.

What can we expect from this series?

Like I said, the tasks are way more intense and there’s a lot more realism brought into it. One of my favourites is the tunnel task. I’m not going to elaborate too much, but it’s super intense. There’s a lot going on, it’s noisy and intimidating, and there’s a lot of freaking out from both the Aussies and the Brits, so that will make good viewing. We also simulate an aeroplane crashing into the water, which is a massive task. There’s a lot of freaking out on that one as well.

What did you think of the new recruits? How did they compare to previous series recruits? Did anyone stand out?

They were a mixed bunch. There were some really capable people who came prepared, and others who were a lot less prepared. Some people didn’t quite realise what they were letting themselves in for, but some of those adapted really quickly, and others didn’t. It was a mixed bag. The competition between the Aussies and the Brits intensified things. We were ambitious with one of the weapon-related tasks, where recruits had to move through a hostile built-up area. That was to see who had the minerals out of the Brits and the Aussies, and that was always good to watch.

Did you notice any consistent psychological weaknesses or habits among the celebrities? Anything about mental strength that stood out?

They’ve all got mental strength to deal with different things. It was interesting watching Ryan — the guy who plays Toadfish in Neighours. He’s been through serious mental hardship, so his journey was interesting. It’s always a mix. Some people embrace the mental pressure and do well, others struggle to keep their heads above water.

Do celebrities struggle more with physical or mental hardship?

It depends. Athletes are normally good physically until they start getting tired and don’t get decent sleep. Reality stars often struggle physically because they’re not used to pushing themselves hard, but they deal with getting abuse quite well because they get it all the time anyway. They’ve got emotional resilience. Everyone brings different weaknesses. People think reality stars are going to be rubbish, but because their lives are chaotic, they’re actually better conditioned psychologically. They might not be as physically strong, but mentally they’re often in a better place. Athletes are used to being told they’re amazing, getting good sleep, and knowing exactly how long they’ll be working for. A footballer knows it’s 90 minutes. Here, they don’t know what’s next, and that can trip them up. Reality stars live chaos, so they cope better with uncertainty.

Which celebrities surprised you the most?

Dani surprised me and Gabby was impressive. The Aussie athletes are strong — they don’t let you down. They’re aerobically fit, so you kind of expect it. They get a lot of stick from the Aussie press, which is brutal, same as the British press.

What does a recruit truly need to make it all the way?

They need a strong reason for why they’re doing it. They also need to be adventurous and inquisitive about how to deal with really hard situations — not just physical, but mental too.

What is the hardest part of the show for you that the audience wouldn’t see?

The hours. Once the recruits go to sleep, we’re organising, planning what’s next, getting ready to go out and catch them off guard. Our hours are long and there’s a lot of prep. We live in a tent in North Africa as well. Conditions are brutal. It’s a long period of time doing something tough in harsh conditions. It’s good, but it’s brutal.

Did you ever serve in North Africa?

Not operationally, but I’ve been there on training exercises.

How did the weather compare to previous series? Did it make it more difficult?

Hot and dry means hydration is critical. You’ve got to look after yourself. It’s dusty. Living in a tent full of dust has a massive impact. Breathing it in all the time — you’ll see recruits coughing constantly. It’s just the nature of it.

Where is the boundary between real-life SAS and TV where it becomes unsafe?

You can’t make it 100% real because that would be dangerous. We’d personally like to do more endurance tasks — long distances, hard graft — but that doesn’t always work for TV because it’s boring to watch. When we do those tasks, we keep it as real and safe as possible.

Did you change anything as a team from last year?

Not really. Apart from the Aussies versus Brits element, things were similar. The environment changed — Wales last year, North Africa this year — which is a big difference. We’ve got a good system now. We stick to what works and throw in curveballs where needed. The four of us work well together.

How would you sum up the series as a whole?

It’s a brutal excursion into the North African mountains for both Aussies and Brits to see who’s got the minerals to be standing at the end. The tasks are bigger, the environment is more brutal than last year, and people are going to love it because you’ll see celebrities getting their backsides handed to them.

Lastly, who was stronger overall — the Brits or the Australians?

Difficult one. I’d say they were pretty evenly matched. There were a few letdowns on either side, but also some really strong people. They stepped up to the plate — unlike the English cricket team in the Ashes!

CHRIS:

What can we expect from this series of Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins?

I think this series is bigger and better than any I’ve done or been part of previously. The nature of the show keeps improving because we assess everything that was done before. With the added element this time of it being Britain versus Australia, plus the extreme heat of the country, it’s going to be absolutely epic. This is the first time where the rivalry between the participants didn’t really need a DS. We almost became referees between them. That brings an added dimension because they’re genuinely pitted against each other, and historically Australia versus UK always creates fireworks.

Which nationality do you think had the stronger team, if you had to pick one?

I was initially worried for the British team because of the Olympians they had, particularly the swimmers. Swimming is a very insular, single-minded, disciplined sport, so I thought they might start off stronger. On the Australian side, you had people like Ryan, who was almost militant in his approach, and Axel and others who were prepared to throw the kitchen sink at it. But I was surprisingly impressed by some of the people on the British side who I didn’t think would bring the same heat — and they absolutely did. Overall, it was pretty well balanced, especially after the first few days once some people left. The early team tasks were very evenly matched.

Do you think the celebrities struggled more physically or mentally?

It’s very individual. Take Dani, for example — she struggled physically at times due to her natural build, but mentally she also struggled because she didn’t always know what she was capable of, even though the DS could see it. Then you look at Ben Cohen. Physically, he thrived — it was like a gladiator mentality from his rugby days. But emotionally and mentally, when left to his own devices, he struggled. He’s been through a lot, and that became apparent on the course. His biggest challenge was always going to be mental.

How do you find the mirror room as a DS?

I find it fascinating. I’ve always been interested in understanding people and what makes them tick. The mirror rooms give people an opportunity to open up. It’s not just us talking to them — it’s a two-way conversation. We ask open-ended questions because we’ve observed them closely and want to understand why they’re on the course. We want to make sure they’re getting the most out of it. We’re empathetic as DS — even if it doesn’t always seem like it when we’re pushing them to their limits. After the first couple of days, you can usually see who genuinely wants to be there. I still have conversations with recruits from past series who say it was one of the most empowering experiences of their lives.

Do injuries make it harder to watch people leave?

Absolutely. Injuries happen naturally in environments like this. Sometimes people use the medic as a way out — I’ve been there myself on selection, when your mind wants to quit and any excuse helps. But injuries do genuinely happen, and that’s always disappointing. The hope is that they recover and come back stronger if they ever get another opportunity.

What was the hardest challenge this series?

Honestly, surviving the environment. The heat was relentless. Even the camp itself was brutal — from the moment you woke up until early morning, it was boiling. Anything involving water was a relief. One day we marched them up the dam and then made them sprint uphill — it was absolutely brutal.

What’s the biggest misconception celebrities have or mistake they make before arriving?

Not watching the show or not understanding that this isn’t a reality TV show. It’s a course that just happens to be filmed, and it runs 24/7. The people who struggle the most are the ones who cling to their normal comforts — phones, control, lifestyle. If they accepted the reality sooner, they’d adapt better.

How did the weather compare to other series?

This was the most brutal environment I’ve experienced on the show. I’d rather be cold than hot — you can always warm up, but you can’t cool down easily. The heat affects mood, performance, and decision-making. Out of all the series I’ve been part of, this was the toughest from a weather perspective.

Are there any tasks you dread putting celebs through?

I dislike single-person tasks because they take so long. But I love tactical team tasks — hostage rescue, driving — because they show leadership under pressure and whether people have learned anything from the course.

What’s the hardest part of being a DS?

Getting everyone to believe in the course. There are phases: shock, discipline, personal development, training, and then interrogation. By the end, seeing people’s journeys and transformations is incredibly rewarding. Many say it’s life-changing, and we know they’ll miss it — even if they don’t believe us at the time.

Who had the biggest transformation?

Dani Dyer. She arrived overwhelmed and unsure, but she grew massively over time. Positive reinforcement was key. She overcame fears she never thought she could, and she delivered on the course.

What does it take to make it to the end of Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins selection?

Self-motivation. If you don’t have it, you’ve got nothing. And the ability to listen and trust the DS. Between us, we have decades of experience, and we genuinely want the best for them. They just need to listen, trust the process, and execute.

RUDY:

What can we expect from this series?

The conditions have been the most extreme that I’ve ever encountered. Shooting in North Africa in July, where the temperature is around 130 degrees, is challenging for anybody. Even very tough people are going to have a hard time.

I was very impressed with the recruits, especially considering the conditions. UK recruits, in particular, do not come from hot weather and do not train in desert conditions. We have a saying in Recon: there is no such thing as a bad-ass, there’s only trained and untrained. To see them go from cooler conditions into the mountains and deserts of North Africa with us was very impressive. Their grit really stood out.

The Australians—I didn’t know as much about them at first—but they were physically impressive. The rivalry between Australia and the UK brought competitive spirit, aggression, and passion. It pushed everyone to be stronger and perform better than they would have alone.

Who were you most impressed with? Who stood out to you?

The rugby player—the handsome rugby player – Ben Cohen. What I liked about him was that it was 100% effort all the time. You could see that he understood the conditions and the tasks of the course, and he was fighting his own internal battle, yet he continued on.

I was also very impressed with the tiny little girl who looked like a little mouse—Dani Dyer. Very, very impressive. Seeing her grow in confidence was incredible. This type of training and these conditions were not in her wheelhouse at all, but she dug deep, pushed herself, and put her best foot forward. There were many times you could tell she was having serious conversations with herself, and she still charged on.

The Australian female swimmer, Emily, was also impressive. She was a worker, had a sense of humour about herself, was physically strong, and as dominant as many of the men.

I also really respected the attitude, drive, and success of swimmer Mack. He showed leadership and put out physically and mentally in everything he did.

In general, it was an amazing course, especially because of the dynamics between the recruits. I don’t know much about cricket in America—I like the uniforms and think it looks cool, but I don’t know the rules. Those cricketers weren’t exactly young men, but they gave everything they had. The Australian cricketer, Brad, especially, seemed on borrowed time at the beginning. Every day we thought, ‘Today’s the day he’s out,’ but he kept going. As time went on, he gathered steam, started believing in himself, and really grew. This course was my favourite I’ve ever done because of the growth, depth, and improvement we saw in the recruits.

What do you think is the biggest struggle for the recruits—physical or mental?

From my own experience in the military and through selection, eventually the body goes and it’s all mental. That said, the mind and body work in synergy. The more you prepare your body, the more you’re actually making conscious decisions in your mind.

Under these conditions—the blast furnace heat—everyone’s body gets exhausted. Everyone is in pain. Everyone is injured. That’s just the way it is. What makes special forces special is that recruits understand their suffering is not unique. When a recruit starts believing their pain is personal or special, and begins internalising it, they’re on borrowed time. The ones who survive keep their vision on the horizon and continue moving forward.

Is it useful for you as DS to hear recruits’ stories in the mirror room? Does it help the course?

Yes, absolutely. What’s unique about this course is that it brings us back to a special time in our lives—being with Foxy and Chris—when we were overcoming obstacles daily and accomplishing missions that people said were impossible. In this environment, you become complete. That’s what the mirror rooms are for.

They give recruits the opportunity to be their real selves. The punishment, the pace, the weather, the elevation, and the constant pressure strip away anything manufactured in their persona. Anything fake cannot survive under this kind of pressure. Their real self comes out.

Putting this on TV allows the audience to see impressive human beings not just being strong, but being human and accessible. It invites the audience to reflect on themselves, and that’s the magic of this series.

We as DS don’t know what happens in the barracks during those personal, intimate moments. The cameras capture the totality of their experience. As hard as we are on them, it’s for the benefit of the recruits and the audience. Maybe the audience finds more forgiveness in themselves, maybe they push themselves a little further in a space they’re afraid to enter. That’s the genius of the series, and the mirror room speaks directly to the human soul.

What was your favourite physical challenge this series?

I love all the big towers, underwater tasks, helicopters, and hand-to-hand. But my favourites are always the kit-haul scenarios—getting off the X. Vehicles get blown up, they don’t know how far they have to move, the enemy is closing in, and they must move fast and hard. It feels like it goes on forever.

What I love about those tasks is that they show strength of character. Everyone is fatigued. Teams that don’t work together fall apart. Teams that push through together succeed. You see the sweat, the pain, the heavy kit, and people picking themselves back up. It reflects the human experience—carrying something for a long time and not knowing when you’ll finally be able to put it down, physically or emotionally.

As a DS, what’s the hardest part of your job that viewers don’t see?

For me, it’s the opportunity and responsibility to represent my country, my Marine Corps background, Recon, and sniper training. I sacrificed so much during those years in conflict, and now that experience is being used to help people become better versions of themselves.

All that aggression, discipline, and tactical warfighting is now used to help people confront their demons and win in their own lives. I care deeply about people and about this series. I want to see it across all countries that believe in freedom and self-determination.

Is there anything you would want to do differently or add to the show?

If we could do it longer and go deeper, that would be incredible. In the military, we do SERE training—Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape. The first week involves building bivouacs, foraging, hunting for food, and being pursued by hunter forces.

Adding a full survival and evasion component—building fires, finding water, foraging—would be amazing. I’d also love to see a final three-day mission where recruits plan, execute, and then deal with everything going wrong, forcing them on the run. That would really bring everything together. We’d just need more time.

Which climate do you think is the hardest—hot, cold, jungle, or urban?

All environments are extremely challenging in different ways. Cold amphibious warfare is brutal. Jungle heat and rain rot your feet and clog your equipment. Desert sand gets into your lungs, and without enough water, you could die from dehydration. Urban warfare presents 360-degree threats at all times.

Every environment used for special operations is difficult. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be used.

Between the Brits and the Aussies, who was stronger overall?

It flip-flopped. Early on, the Australians were stronger. Toward the end, it became neck and neck. Having younger Olympians on the Australian side definitely helped.

Do athletic and Olympic backgrounds really help on the course?

Development matters. Being in the top 1% of the 1%—like Olympians—shows incredible physical and spiritual drive. Nobody sees the thousands of hours of repetition that build depth as a person.

Athletes and entertainers bring something powerful because of that development. But someone like Dani may not have that background, and yet the human spirit—the X factor—can change everything.

What’s the biggest misconception celebrities have before starting the course?

They’re always unprepared. Watching it on TV doesn’t let you feel the cold, heat, gravity, or pain. They just don’t realise how hard it’s going to be.

What makes the perfect recruit?

The perfect recruit would be someone like Rudy Reyes—physically disciplined, with a baseline of strength and endurance, able to set their ego aside, follow orders, and still remain human. They don’t get angry when things go wrong, they take on responsibility, and they work well with others. Special operations soldiers aren’t robots—we feel pain, but we compartmentalise it to make decisions.

What was your single favourite moment of the entire series?

There were many great moments, but the standout for me was when the two squads moved through the city with rifles—shoot and move—coming face to face, dealing with check fire and combat friction with friendlies. That was the most realistic representation of our world. It gave insight not just to the recruits, but to the audience, about the responsibilities our armed forces carry. It’s a reminder of why we should respect and support them—because that’s the world they live in.

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