England rugby legend Ben Cohen is set to face a brutally savage interrogation on the final episode of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, with directing staff cruelly labelling him a "sad old man" during the intense psychological ordeal. The former sportsman, who is clinically deaf after suffering genetic hearing loss, was seen visibly emotional in last night's episode as he reflected on the gruelling nature of the Channel 4 series.
World Cup Winner's Vulnerability Exposed
The 2003 World Cup winner has admitted that appearing on the demanding reality show left him feeling "vulnerable" after it triggered "different mindsets" to help him survive the extreme physical and mental challenges. Ben, now 47, will face the ultimate test alongside fellow finalists Dani Dyer, Gabby Allen, Mack Horton and Emily Seebohm in tonight's climactic episode airing on January 26.
Relentless Psychological Warfare
Before reaching the final challenge, Cohen must endure a merciless takedown from directing staff Rudy Reyes, Jason Fox, Mark Billingham and Chris Oliver, along with former SAS interrogator Ian Dilks. According to reports from the Sunday Express, the exhausted rugby star will be subjected to a barrage of insults designed to break his spirit.
During the interrogation, Dilks delivers particularly cutting remarks, stating: "I recognise your face. Didn't you used to play rugby? Didn't you win the World Cup? They say never meet your heroes because it'll be disappointing. It's quite sad really. You're like an old man. So as a 'husband-rugby player', what are you doing here now?"
Cohen's response reveals his mental exhaustion, replying: "I've been running across the country, sir," and when pressed to explain his presence, he admits: "I'm trying to figure that out."
Mental Battles and Emotional Struggles
Following the interrogation, Cohen confesses to staff that he's barely clinging on to the process, concluding: "I am tired. The interrogation is probably one of my biggest question marks. It's wearing you down and making you feel vulnerable, triggering different mindsets, thoughts and testing them – the mental challenge of it, the mental toughness of it."
In last night's episode, viewers witnessed Cohen having an emotional video call with fellow 2003 World Cup winner Steve Thompson, where he struggled to control his feelings while discussing his experience on the show. "It's been really tough. It's been soul-searching. I have had some really horrible mental battles," he revealed.
Directing Staff's Concerns
The directing staff admitted they were worried the former rugby player, who has previously appeared on shows including The Jump, The Celebrity Chase and The Real Full Monty, might not complete the entire course. They noted spotting the star wrestling with his "demons" as the final five contestants prepared for their ultimate challenges.
Speaking about the finale on Good Morning Britain this Monday, Cohen, who shares twin daughters with ex-wife Abbie and daughter Mila with former Strictly professional Kristina Rihanoff, admitted he found certain aspects of the series particularly challenging.
Hearing Loss Presents Unique Challenges
Cohen explained to hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls that his hearing loss, which means he relies heavily on lip-reading, made it difficult to follow what the directing staff were saying throughout the series. However, he also joked that his condition proved to be a "blessing" during the intense finale of the high-octane programme, which simulates a condensed version of SAS selection training.
"I only have 40% hearing, and my tinnitus is off the charts," Cohen continued. "I would say in some way, it was such a blessing in the interrogating, the loud noises and tones I just can't hear... except for maybe the staff or interrogators voices."
Fellow Contestant's Emotional Breakdown
Elsewhere in tonight's episode, Dani Dyer breaks down in tears as she receives a video call from home ahead of the final challenge. Speaking to her husband, West Ham United footballer Jarrod Bowen, and their twin daughters Summer and Star, she emotionally declares: "This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."
Bowen, 29, quickly offers encouragement, responding: "Go all the way, because you know you want it. You've got this far." The Celebrity SAS contestants have been gradually reduced from an initial twelve participants to the final five facing tonight's ultimate test.
First look images from the finale show Dyer, 29, wearing a heavy metal chain around her neck as she struggles through tasks, appearing close to tears throughout the demanding challenges.
Ofcom Complaints Over Racial Stereotypes
The series has recently faced significant controversy, with Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins receiving approximately 1,100 Ofcom complaints regarding alleged "racial stereotypes" during a war simulation task. Viewers criticised the Channel 4 show after the episode that aired on January 11 featured celebrities undertaking simulated combat scenarios.
During the simulation, participants crossed between buildings while being "shot" at with non-loaded weapons by simulated hostile individuals wearing keffiyehs, traditional Middle Eastern headdresses. The celebrities had previously been instructed to wear the cultural garment, which holds historical and social significance across Arab communities, as part of the task to "blend in."
Watchdog Criticism and Channel 4 Response
Broadcasting watchdog Accountable Media criticised the use of the keffiyeh as a symbol of violence rather than a peaceful representation of Arab identity and heritage. The organisation warned that this portrayal "reinforced a harmful and reductive stereotype that associates Arabs or Western Asian cultural markers with danger, aggression or moral threat."
Posting on Instagram, Accountable Media stated in a video: "Such portrayals are not neutral, and this is why we've set up an Ofcom complaint on Accountable Media where you can participate in this action and send a complaint directly to Ofcom in under a minute. Let's put as much pressure as possible on this conscious effort by Channel 4 to perpetuate a certain stereotype."
The account's followers flooded the comments section, with one writing: "I thought exactly the same when watching the episode. Will send my complaint now," while another declared: "Will never watch another series. Done," and a third added: "This is utterly utterly disgusting and abhorrent."
Ofcom published their weekly audience complaints for the week following the broadcast, which totalled 1,126 complaints about the episode. Channel 4 responded to the criticism, stating: "SAS Who Dares Wins seeks to accurately replicate real life SAS training which takes place in diverse environments around the world. The participants used in the training scenarios in this series, filmed in North Africa, wore garments typical of the region and appropriate to the prevailing weather and desert conditions."
The dramatic conclusion of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4, featuring Ben Cohen's final attempt to conquer both the physical challenges and psychological warfare that have defined his gruelling journey through the series.
