The new series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins has witnessed its first dramatic departure, as a contestant broke down and quit during a gruelling challenge that left others on the verge of fainting.
Psychological Warfare and International Rivalry
The Channel 4 show made its comeback on Sunday, 4 January, with a second episode airing on Monday, 5 January 2026. This series features an unprecedented format, pitting a squad of seven British celebrities against seven Australian stars in the harsh SAS-style selection process.
The UK team includes Love Island's Gabby and Dani Dyer, internet personalities Jack Joseph and Cole Anderson James, rugby's Ben Cohen, Gladiator Toby Olubi, and cricketer Graeme Swann. Their Australian rivals are led by Married At First Sight's Jessika Power, cricketer Brad Hodge, Olympic swimmers Emily Seebohm and Mack Horton, plus performers Axle Whitehead, Ryan Moloney, and Natalie Bassingthwaighte.
The psychological evaluation, delivered by Dr Gareth, set a harsh tone early on. He labelled Ryan Moloney as "not an alpha" and described Jessika Power as an "attention seeker", predicting Natalie Bassingthwaighte would "go into a spiral".
The Mud Tunnel Ordeal That Sparked a Quit
The breaking point for several contestants came during a punishing task that required them to navigate 230 metres through mud-filled tunnels. Content creator Jack Joseph volunteered to go first alongside Dani Dyer and Axle Whitehead but quickly became overwhelmed.
Gasping for air and declaring "I'm going to faint", Jack lost his footing and had to be physically hauled to safety by his fellow recruits. Viewers took to social media, with one stating the task would be "a nightmare for someone who was claustrophobic".
'I Can't Do It': The First Armband is Surrendered
Shortly after the tunnel challenge, the series saw its first celebrity surrender their armband. Australian reality star Jessika Power was the one to quit, stating plainly, "I can't do it."
The moment sparked immediate reaction online, with fans debating whether she quit too soon and speculating on the UK vs. Australia score. Fellow Australian recruit Natalie Bassingthwaighte also appeared close to her limit following the gruelling trial.
The latest episodes of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins are available to stream now on Channel 4 online, promising more high-stakes drama as the celebrities face the ultimate test of endurance.
