CELEBRITY SAS: Who Dares Wins is set for a major shake-up in its star-studded next series – as bosses blow the budget.
The hit Channel 4 show – which launched in 2015 – puts a group of ordinary people through a tough quasi military training course.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is set for a major shake-up[/caption]
The show puts famous faces through their paces[/caption]
Mark “Billy” Billingham is the current Chief Instructor[/caption]
Although the civilian version ended in 2023, the celebrity iteration has continued on.
The Sun can reveal a shake-up will see the next series take place in a new location.
A show insider said: “Last series, there was a bit of a cash crisis at Channel 4 so the series shunned exotic locales and filmed in Wales.
!Bosses made it work but it felt like it wasn’t on as big a scale as when they have filmed in foreign climes, so for the next series, execs are blowing the budget and pushing the boat out to film in Marrakech instead.
“It’s more expensive but will look amazing on camera.”
The Sun has contacted a rep for comment.
Earlier this year, The Sun revealed how Celebrity SAS had been saved from the axe – after bosses had considered quietly ending the series.
But after seeing footage of the upcoming series, execs couldn’t let it go.
A TV insider revealed: “Channel 4 never officially announced that Celebrity SAS had been dropped, but behind closed doors, they had decided not to bring it back — at least for the time being.
“It’s an expensive show to make, as far as reality shows go, and budgets have been tightened.”
The most recent series was completed by Love Island star Georgia Harrison and boxer Lani Daniels.
It also featured reality star Pete Wicks – while airing concurrently with his stint in Strictly Come Dancing.
The source added: “They filmed a series in 2024, which will air later in 2025, and that was quietly considered to be the last one they would make.
“However, it’s a beloved franchise and they have had a last-minute change of heart after doing the edit for the unaired series that’s in the can.”
However, the show’s future was put back on track with the next course to be filmed later this year and air in 2026.
Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins winners
Many celebrities have attempted the infamous Channel 4 quasi military training course – but only a select few have successfully passed.
Series 1 (2019) – Wayne Bridge
Series 2 (2020) – Locksmith and Lauren Steadman
Series 3 (2021) – Alexandra Burke, Aled Davies and Wes Nelson
Series 4 (2022) – AJ Pritchard, Calum Best, Ferne McCann and Maisie Smith
Series 5 (2023) – Gareth Gates
The hit series originally featured Ant Middleton as Head Instructor from 2015 to 2021.
Since his departure, Mark “Billy” Billingham has taken over that position.
Other Directing Staff (DS) includes Jason “Foxy” Fox, Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver.
Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins airs on Channel 4.
