The hardened ex-special forces instructors behind Channel 4's gruelling reality hit, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, have pulled back the curtain on the extreme production process, revealing 22-hour workdays and covert planning sessions in their secret camp.
The Relentless Graft Behind the Scenes
While viewers see celebrities pushed to their absolute limits, the directing staff (DS) endure a punishing schedule of their own. In an exclusive reveal during the show's press junket, the trainers detailed a reality far removed from luxurious Winnebagos. Jason 'Foxy' Fox, a series stalwart since 2015, explained they live in a tent on set, eating the same food as recruits, but often working long after the stars have retired.
"When they're sleeping a lot of the time, we're still up prepping for the next day, debriefing from the day that's just happened," Fox stated. He emphasised the intensive analysis, noting they dissect each recruit "with a fine tooth comb" to identify psychological and physical pressure points. Chief instructor Billy Bilingham MBE confirmed the staggering hours, stating, "We knock out probably anything from 19 to 21, sometimes 22 hours. And that's a fact."
Living Like a Military Unit Again
The dynamic between the DS—Bilingham, Fox, Rudy Reyes, and Chris Oliver—is one of familiar military camaraderie, complete with dark humour and shared living quarters. Fox joked about Reyes's sleeping habits and Bilingham's unmade bed, painting a picture of "four lads that live together." Billy Bilingham hinted this unfiltered banter is likely too raw for broadcast, quipping, "We have a very dark sense of humour. That's a problem for the public."
Chris Oliver highlighted the constant, on-call nature of their role. Their living and dining spaces double as production meeting rooms, and they must always be ready to respond. "We are hearing distance from the White Rock. So when they... shout 'DS', generally, we're in there in our pants," Oliver revealed, describing the immediate transition from rest to action.
A Brutal New Series Awaits
The eight-part series, returning to screens on Sunday 4th January 2026 at 9pm, features a star-studded line-up from the UK and Australia battling in the harsh environment of North Africa. This season introduces a competitive edge, pitting the two nations against each other. Chris Oliver described the conditions as "absolutely brutal," citing intense heat and exposed daylight tasks that made it the hardest series he has done.
The celebrity recruits facing this ordeal include Dani Dyer, Gabby Allen, Jessika Power, Jack Joseph, Cole Anderson-James, Ryan Moloney, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Ben Cohen, Toby Olubi, Graeme Swann, Brad Hodge, Emily Seebohm, Mack Horton, and Axle Whitehead. Oliver promised viewers will see "blood, sweat and tears" as the celebrities bring their "A-game."
Ultimately, the trainers' revelations underscore that the true test of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins extends beyond the televised challenges, relying on the relentless, unseen dedication of the directing staff who orchestrate every moment of the high-stakes drama.
