In a groundbreaking moment for reality television, Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins has concluded its latest series with an historic all-female victory. After a gruelling eight-day selection course that tested both physical endurance and mental fortitude, three women emerged as the sole survivors from an initial cohort of fourteen celebrities.
A Brutal Finale Tests the Last Recruits
The tense finale, which aired on Monday night, saw the five remaining finalists face one last series of intense challenges. Over the course of eight episodes, Chief Instructor Billy Billingham and his Directing Staff—Jason Fox, Rudy Reyes, and Chris Oliver—had rigorously assessed the recruits. The final stage involved a condensed version of SAS training, described by participants as the most difficult part of the entire process.
As the challenges escalated, the recruits were handed over to interrogators. Deprived of sleep and subjected to relentless questioning between physical trials, the pressure proved too much for some. Former rugby player Ben Cohen, aged 47, and Mack Horton, 29, ultimately decided to withdraw from the competition. This left three formidable women standing: Love Island stars Dani Dyer and Gabby Allen, alongside former Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm.
An Unprecedented Triumph for Women
Delivering the final verdict, Chief Instructor Billy Billingham, 60, addressed the triumphant trio. He stated, ‘Eight days ago you came from both sides of the world. Fourteen arrived. Three stand before us. Just because you stand on the finish line doesn’t mean you’ve passed this course.’ After a pause, he continued, ‘It’s a rare moment to say — congratulations to all three of you. You’ve passed this course.’
Reflecting on her victory, Dani Dyer shared her emotional response. ‘Every single moment was horrendous. But to hear that I’d passed — it’s the best feeling in the world,’ she said. ‘If I can do this, I can do anything. I definitely am a lot stronger than what I think I am. I can’t believe I’ve actually been able to do it. I’m really proud of myself.’ She emphasised the collective strength of women, noting, ‘We are strong women. We go through so much as women, mentally and physically.’
Gabby Allen echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in their achievement. ‘I can’t believe that out of fourteen people, it’s us. Well, I can — because we’re boss b*****s,’ she remarked. Highlighting their backgrounds, she added, ‘Two girls from Love Island showing everyone what we can do.’
Surprise and Solidarity Among the Finalists
Emily Seebohm revealed her initial surprise at the all-female outcome. ‘When we were un-bagged and it was just the three of us standing there, I thought we’d been picked out as the weak ones,’ she admitted. ‘I couldn’t have been prouder of the girls. We spent the whole time lifting each other up and reminding ourselves how strong we were.’ She also expressed astonishment at the elimination of Ben and Mack, stating, ‘I wasn’t surprised it was the three women, but I was surprised the two guys didn’t make it because they were so strong.’
For Seebohm, personal motivation played a crucial role. ‘Every time I struggled, I pictured my son in his dinosaur pyjamas. I could see him so clearly, and it gave me strength,’ she shared.
Background on the Departing Contestants
The series also shed light on the personal challenges faced by other recruits. In a previous episode, Ben Cohen opened up about his difficult past eighteen months, which included an on-off relationship with Kristina Rihanoff. During intense interrogation scenes, he spoke of his desire to be a ‘pillar of strength’ for his daughters—twins Isabelle and Harriette, aged 17, and Milena, nine. This followed revelations about his daughter’s devastating heart condition, adding emotional depth to his journey on the show.
The Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins series has been noted for its unflinching portrayal of resilience, with Dani Dyer previously suffering a bleeding nose after being punched in the face during a challenge. The programme continues to push celebrities to their absolute limits, blending physical trials with psychological warfare.
All episodes of this historic series are available to stream on Channel 4, allowing viewers to witness the dramatic journey from start to finish.
