In a dramatic turn of events, Channel 4's gruelling reality series Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins saw three high-profile recruits quit the course during a single, intense episode aired on Sunday. The exodus of actor Ryan Moloney, former England cricketer Graeme Swann, and British sprinter Toby Olubi has significantly thinned the ranks of celebrities attempting to pass the brutal selection process.
Mental Strain Forces First Departure
The first to withdraw was Ryan Moloney, the 46-year-old actor best known for playing Jarrod 'Toadfish' Rebecchi in Neighbours. Early in the episode, Moloney confessed to fellow recruits that he was "mentally spiralling" and was unsure if he had taken his ADHD medication. This prompted the directing staff to consult the camp psychiatrist, who advised that continuing would "ruin him" given the chaotic day ahead.
Instructor Jason "Foxy" Fox subsequently spoke with Moloney, who made the decision to leave. "I'd love to be available for all of the challenge, I'd love to be here, but yeah, I am going to withdraw," Moloney stated. Fox supported his choice, telling him it was the "right move" and that he should "hold your head high." As the seventh contestant to depart, Moloney later reflected on the positive takeaway, saying the experience taught him to face his fears.
Medical Withdrawal and a Harrowing Interrogation
Later in the episode, Graeme Swann, also 46, was medically withdrawn by the directing staff due to an arm injury. The former spin bowler, who became the eighth recruit to leave, accepted the physical risks, noting his sporting background. His exit was emotional, with Swann telling staff: "It's been amazing, it's been emotional, f*** me, you can break people can't you."
The episode also featured a tense interrogation segment where Australian former Olympic swimmer Mack Horton was questioned about the fallout from his 2019 podium protest against Chinese swimmer Sun Yang. Horton revealed severe repercussions for his family, including being followed, his father's business being hacked, and their home being broken into. He stated he has been advised not to travel to China and described recent incidents of being photographed in public with his family.
Final Exit After High-Pressure Challenge
The initial challenge of the episode saw recruits navigating a hostile village under simulated fire to collect equipment, only for their vehicles to stall, forcing a strenuous push to an extraction point. A subsequent task involved a race against the clock to rescue a hostage and retrieve a laptop.
This high-pressure scenario ultimately led to the directing staff withdrawing Toby Olubi, the 38-year-old British sprinter and bobsledder. As the ninth contestant to exit the series, Olubi bid a brief farewell to his fellow recruits, simply stating: "It's been a pleasure guys."
The series, which continues to test celebrities to their absolute limits, airs on Channel 4 on Monday at 9pm. The triple departure marks one of the most significant single-episode shake-ups in the show's history, proving that even the toughest celebrities can be broken by the SAS's legendary selection process.
