Reality television star Dani Dyer has been officially confirmed as a contestant for the forthcoming series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The new season, set to air on Channel 4 in January, will feature a unique format pitting British celebrities against their Australian counterparts in a gruelling military-style challenge set in North Africa.
A Battle of National Pride in the Desert
The 29-year-old, best known for winning Love Island, will be pushed to her physical and mental limits in the harsh environment. This marks a significant return to demanding television for Dyer, who was forced to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year due to an injury. Speaking about her decision to take part, Dyer expressed both excitement and trepidation.
"I'm a massive fan of the show. I've always watched it and wondered if I could do it," she said. "I want to put myself to the test. I'm nuts, but I think I will be good at it, I'll be completely out of my comfort zone."
Dyer admitted her biggest challenge will likely be psychological. "I just hope that I will be able to stop listening to the voices in my head and just get to the end because that would make me so proud," she revealed. "I think physically I've got this, mentally is what I'll struggle with as my brain attacks me all the bloody time. I just want to believe in myself a little bit more."
Star-Studded UK and Australia Line-Up Revealed
Dyer will not be alone in facing the infamous Directing Staff (DS). She is joined by a diverse cast of celebrities from both nations, all aiming to prove their mettle. The British contingent includes:
- Fellow Love Island alumna Gabby Allen.
- Social media personalities Jack Joseph and Cole Anderson-James.
- Former England cricketer Graeme Swann, 46.
- World Cup-winning England rugby legend Ben Cohen.
- Gladiator and Olympian Toby Olubi.
The Australian team features notable names such as:
- TV personality Jessika Power.
- Neighbours actors Ryan Moloney and Natalie Bassingthwaighte.
- Ex-cricketer Brad Hodge.
- Olympic swimmers Emily Seebohm and Mack Horton.
- Home and Away actor Axle Whitehead.
For former England bowler Graeme Swann, participation is a personal mission. He stated his motivation was "mostly to step out of my comfort zone and see how hard I could push myself but also, I wanted my kids to see that even the hardest tasks can be achieved if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other."
Directing Staff Promise a Brutal Test
The eight-part series will see the return of the formidable DS team, led by chief instructor Mark 'Billy' Billingham. He will be supported by Jason 'Foxy' Fox, Rudy Reyes, and Chris Oliver.
Billingham has set the stage for a fierce competition, emphasising that more than personal pride is at stake. "A challenge like no other, this series isn't just a brutal personal course, their national pride is on the line," he said. "Who has the minerals to rise from the ashes or fade into the outback?"
He warned contestants and viewers to expect a relentless ordeal. "North Africa has its own challenges, now throw the DS into the mix. Standby for tears, pain and glory. Now's the time for them to give all to win all, who dares wins."
The upcoming series promises to be one of the most intense yet, as celebrities from the UK and Australia abandon their glamorous lifestyles for a raw fight for survival and national bragging rights under the watchful eyes of the world's toughest instructors.
