Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was thrown into turmoil on Sunday (3 August) as two celebrities withdrew during the opening episode. The Channel 4 military challenge programme returned with 14 famous participants, including Love Island stars Chloe Burrows and Tasha Ghouri, X Factor veteran Lucy Spraggan, and footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Former S Club 7 member Hannah Spearritt, 44, became the first to leave after struggling with the 'most perilous' hostage extraction exercise. Fellow contestants suggested she may have experienced a panic episode. In a pre-recorded interview, Spearritt had said: 'I am pretty determined. I wouldn't say I give up easily but whether I get to the end or not...I don't think I'll go on the first day because I just wouldn't forgive myself.' She later told the directing staff: 'Sorry - I'm done. Sorry. I've reached a point.'
Dancer Louie Spence also made a dramatic exit after finding the physical demands too much. Despite earlier bravado, he declared: 'I wanna do an immediate withdrawal. I just don't have the conviction and I feel as though I'm not dedicated enough.' He removed his armband and declined an offer to stay, prompting directing staff to tell him to collect his kit.
The departures came after directing staff branded the group's performance as 'abysmal' and urged recruits to take the challenges seriously. Spence later admitted: 'Definitely the physical side of the course...I didn't think I was capable of being a group player.'
