The freezing weather might be shuttling us indoors, but that just means it’s the perfect time to binge season eight of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. While we put our feet up and reach for a big bowl of Maltesers, 14 famous contestants are touching down in North Africa — trading our chilly UK weather for desert heat, and facing an experience that’s anything but relaxing.
These celebrities will go through gruelling trials and tribulations, and only those who survive the entire course without withdrawing will be deemed worthy by the DS at the end. And remember: there can be multiple winners. Back in 2025, three stars — ex-footballer Troy Deeney, media personality Michaella McCollum, and X Factor singer Lucy Spraggan — all passed the test.
Simple enough…right?
Well, season eight is upping the ante with a twist we’ve never seen before — one that could rival Claudia Winkleman's The Secret Traitor shocker. The 2026 season has been split into Team UK and Team Australia, with seven celebrities representing each nation, going head-to-head in challenges. Nothing like a bit of patriotism to boost the drama (and the ratings), eh?
To make matters even more interesting, five (yes, five) celebs have already called it quits. And who can blame them? It's a hard gig!
So, who’s competing in season 8 of Celebrity SAS? How will the two teams work? Who has left the challenge? Let’s dig in.
Who has left Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins so far?
It’s a challenge like no other, and this year’s Celebrity SAS recruits are finding it brutally unforgiving. From emotional breakdowns to medical emergencies, several contestants have already been forced to bow out.
The first to leave was Jessika Power, who quit after breaking down in tears during a task in the first week of episodes. Overwhelmed, she told the instructors: “I can’t do this. I’m going to have to withdraw. I can’t do this, sorry.”
A wave of exits followed in Sunday, 11 January’s episode, starting with actress and singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte. As chief instructor Billy Billingham shouted, “Don’t play the fainting sh*t with me,” a visibly shaken Natalie decided she’d reached her limit, tearfully saying: “I just can’t do it, I’m sorry.”
Next to quit was Jack Joseph, who called time after being pushed to climb 27 flights of stairs. Admitting defeat, he said: “I’m not physically fit enough, to be honest. I’m done.”
The final voluntary withdrawal of the episode came from Cole Anderson-James, who left on mental health grounds, explaining sadly: “I just don’t think I’m mentally strong enough.”
There was also a mandatory medical withdrawal, after Home and Away star Axle Whitehead was sent home when he lost all feeling in his arm — yikes. Preview footage for Monday night’s episode shows him being carried away on a stretcher before breaking down after being told he couldn’t continue.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins 2026 line-up
For a quick look at the players battling it out:
Team UK
- Dani Dyer
- Gabby Allen
- Jack Joseph - left the show
- Cole Anderson-James - left the show
- Ben Cohen MBE
- Toby Olubi
- Graeme Swann
Team Australia
- Jessika Power - left the show
- Natalie Bassingthwaighte - left the show
- Emily Seebohm
- Ryan Moloney
- Brad Hodge
- Mack Horton
- Axle Whitehead - left the show
Now, let's get you properly acquainted with the Celebrity SAS season 8 cast.
Team UK
Age: 28
Job: TV personality
Instagram: @danidyerxx
It seems someone has chosen Celebrity SAS over Love Island: All Stars this year! Dani Dyer first rose to fame after winning season four of Love Island in 2018, though she has since split from her co-winner, Jack Fincham. Before that, she appeared on Survival of the Fittest.
Since then, she has co-presented the MTV series True Love or True Lies alongside her father, acting legend Danny Dyer, as well as co-hosting the podcast Sorted with the Dyers with him. Yep, that’s Danny Dyer — like, the Danny Dyer from Rivals, our forever crush.
Most recently, Dani had signed up for Strictly Come Dancing but was forced to withdraw after the launch show following a devastating injury. Thankfully, she had already recorded her experience on Celebrity SAS, so fans won’t be missing out on seeing her in action.
So why the pivot to such a different show? “I’ve always been a massive fan of Celebrity SAS,” Dani explained. “I remember watching a series that Georgia Harrison had done and thinking, ‘I really feel like I want to do it.’
“And so when the opportunity came around, I just couldn’t say no. These sorts of opportunities don’t really come around often, so I thought, let’s have a go — let’s see if I can actually do it.”
Dani describes herself as an adrenaline junkie and has previously climbed Kilimanjaro to raise money for Comic Relief. “I just wanted to see if I had some balls,” she said.
“I think physically I’ve got this. Mentally is what I’ll struggle with, because my brain attacks me all the bloody time. I just want to believe in myself a little bit more and stop being a negative Nancy.”
Age: 33
Job: TV personality
Instagram: @gabbydawnallen
Another Love Island girlie is in the mix! Gabby Allen not only appeared on season three of Love Island, but she also won season two of Love Island: All Stars. She’s also taken part in Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Ghost Hunt.
So why pivot to such a gruelling challenge? “It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I've always wanted to do,” Gabby explained. “To be able to challenge myself, to strip myself back and put myself out there — that was a challenge in itself.”
But aside from pulling people for a chat, Allen is a fitness entrepreneur used to pushing her body’s limits. “As a lot of people know me from Love Island, I think viewers are going to be really surprised when they see me on the course — I’m extremely determined and I don’t give up easily.”
“Fitness is a huge part of my life, with it being my job and working with hundreds of women daily, helping them find joy in their health and wellness journey,” she explained.
She was blown away by the transformation she experienced on the show. “The difference between me before and after was wild,” she shared. “Going in with all my hair done and my lipstick on, and then the aftermath — looking in the mirror thinking, well done. Everyone was talking to me like nothing had happened, and I was like, guys, this is a visual representation of what’s going on in my head right now.”
Age: 25
Job: Content creator
Instagram: @jackjos3ph
You might recognise Jack from a far smaller screen as he’s best known for his TikToks. His comedic posts went viral during the pandemic, earning him over six million followers.
Jack’s decision to join Celebrity SAS was inspired by his father, an ex-army REME mechanic, and he’s keen to prove his resilience and live up to those high expectations.
“I think this is probably going to be the toughest week of my life,” he admitted. “My dad was actually in the military, so he will not be happy if I make excuses, moan, or don’t give it a hundred percent.”
“I didn’t think being in the military was ever an option for me — I’m scared of everything: flying, confrontation, large crowds, claustrophobia, bugs, insects, spiders.”
He continued: “I’m hoping I can overcome those fears. I need a big challenge. If I manage to get through this, I think it would help a lot.”
But that wasn’t his only motivation.
“I think the main reason is that, over the past five years, I’ve been living in a lot of comfort,” Jack explained. “With what I do in this industry, it’s quite an easy and comfortable job. It’s my dream job and I’m incredibly grateful for it, but I felt like I’d been in that comfort zone for too long.
“I needed something to push me out of it. I tried a few different things, but when the call came for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There’s nothing else where you get pushed to this extreme. It was perfect timing for me.”
Voluntary withdrawal.
Age: 28
Job: Content creator
Instagram: @coleanderson.j
Another TikTok star who found their footing during the pandemic — although there were fewer laughs in Cole’s beginnings. The content creator blew up on TikTok after being made redundant from his sales job, and all’s well that ends well: he’s now carved out a career in acting, even appearing in Ricky Gervais’ After Life, after catching Gervais’ attention with his impressions of the comedian. Previously, Cole had also starred in The Emily Atack Show in 2020.
He might just be the least prepared of the lot. Cole admitted to never having seen the show before signing up — and he agreed to take part only six hours before his flight, leaving no time to prepare or train. On the plus side, that also meant no time to overthink things.
“Every task was so hard,” Cole admitted. “I just literally put my blood, sweat and tears into everything. The living situation was harsh, the food… it was just everything. Everything was the hardest part.”
Voluntary withdrawal.
Age: 46
Job: Former World Cup rugby player
Instagram: @bencohenrugby
Every season needs at least one famous sportsman, and season eight is no different — with three representing Team UK. Ben Cohen is a former England rugby player and 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, celebrated as the second-highest try scorer in England’s history. He retired after earning 57 caps for England.
Notice those letters after his name? Yep, Ben was awarded an MBE by the Queen in 2004 for his services to rugby.
But Ben’s real legacy lies off the pitch. An ally to the queer community, he founded The Ben Cohen Stand-Up Foundation to combat bullying, homophobia, and transphobia. Since retiring, he’s also appeared on TV game shows including Strictly Come Dancing, The Jump, and The Real Full Monty.
So why sign up for Celebrity SAS next? “Well, everything was telling me no, don’t do it,” Ben admitted. “It’s hard, and let’s be honest — who wants to be shouted at and called every name under the sun? I didn’t know how I would react to that.”
“But I wanted to do this for personal development and personal growth. It was something I knew would test me mentally, help my mental health, and give me an experience that money can’t buy — something you don’t get to do every day.”
Age: 37
Job: Olympian and gladiator
Instagram: @tobyolubi
From rugby pitches to ski slopes, Team UK also includes a former Olympian. Toby competed in the four-man bobsleigh at the 2018 Winter Olympics, and since January 2024, he’s been Phantom on the BBC show Gladiators, so there’s no question about his physical ability to tackle Celebrity SAS!
Despite enjoying his time on Gladiators, Toby wanted the chance to show his true self on TV, which led him to sign up for the course. “You can’t hide on this show. You can’t fake it. You can only be your authentic self, and I really relished that,” he said.
“I wanted to come on this course to show different dynamics of manhood — that you can be vulnerable and still powerful,” Toby added.
Age: 46
Job: International cricketer
Instagram: @officialgraemeswann
A former international cricketer and three-time Ashes winner (2009, 2010, 2011), Graeme Swann retired in 2013 following an elbow injury. Since then, he’s taken part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, finishing in 10th place.
He’s always wanted to take part in Celebrity SAS. “I actually told my agent only about two weeks before the offer came in that I wasn’t interested in doing any of those shows, apart from Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins,” he explained.
“I told him if they ever asked me to do it, I’d say yes straight away, because I love it — and, weirdly, a couple of weeks later, they asked me.”
Graeme says he’s most excited for his kids to see his journey. “But also, I wanted my kids to see that even the hardest tasks can be achieved if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
They've done the queer community proud.
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Team Australia
Age: 33
Job: TV personality
Instagram: @jessika_power
We’ve got Love Island stars this season, so it seems only right to have someone representing Married at First Sight. Jessika might just be the most recognisable face from Married at First Sight Australia. Since her 2019 season, she’s also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, Celebs Go Dating, and Celebrity Ex on the Beach, and has been candid about earning well on adult-content platform OnlyFans.
So why sign up for Celebrity SAS? “I’m known as the ‘husband-stealing witch,’ a ‘drama queen,’ a ‘s**t-stirrer,’ controversial — all of that,” Jessika explained. “I wanted to show that I’ve grown and matured.”
“This was a show that was going to push me completely out of my comfort zone — which it absolutely did. I wanted to do this as a challenge for myself, but I also wanted to prove that people can change and grow, and that people on television shouldn’t be viewed with tunnel vision.”
Voluntary withdrawal.
Age: 50
Job: Actor
Instagram: @natbassingthwaighte
What’s special forces without a little song and dance to get you through? For Natalie Bassingthwaighte, that soundtrack comes courtesy of her own impressive career. She first rose to fame as the lead singer of Rogue Traders, with hits like Voodoo Child and Watching You, before going on to star as Izzy Hoyland in Neighbours.
Since then, Natalie has appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and The Amazing Race Australia, hosted So You Think You Can Dance Australia, and served as a judge on The X Factor Australia and New Zealand.
She signed up for Celebrity SAS with her kids in mind — and not just to get away from them. “I hoped to gain a deeper understanding of my strength and resilience, utilising tools I’ve gathered over the years to help me navigate hard situations, as well as to show my kids that strength isn’t just physical,” she explained.
Natalie isn’t about to let age slow her down. “Turning 50 for me meant embracing new challenges. Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was my opportunity to push my boundaries, test my limits, and prove that adventure truly knows no age!”
Voluntary withdrawal.
Age: 33
Job: Olympic swimmer
Instagram: @emcbomb
Since the age of 14, Emily Seebohm has been breaking world records in backstroke. She’s a four-time Olympian, winning three golds alongside silver and bronze medals, five World Championship golds, and seven Commonwealth Games golds.
Emily retired last year, but she hasn’t slowed down since, taking part in The Challenge Australia and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia. But the real dream? Celebrity SAS.
“I think I always assumed it would come later, but it felt like now was actually such a good time,” she explained. “I have a two-year-old son, I’ve retired from swimming, and I guess I just wanted to show my son that nothing should hold you back. You should be able to do anything you want to do. A lot of it is that mental game.”
Age: 45
Job: Actor
Instagram: N/A
A beloved face, and one viewers will struggle to see put through such gruelling tasks, Ryan Moloney has been on Australian TV screens for over 30 years, playing the iconic Jarrod “Toadie” Rebecchi on Neighbours — a show he’s even directed some episodes of.
From scripted drama to reality TV, Ryan has appeared on shows including Celebrity Big Brother UK and The Masked Singer Australia. He saw Celebrity SAS as an unmissable opportunity.
“I think probably the toughest part is the keeping up — just getting back up and making sure you keep going,” he explained. “You're so exhausted, with nothing left, and you just have to get up and keep going, just keep going, just keep going.
“So that was the hardest part, but also the best lesson to learn,” he added, reflecting on his time on the course.
Age: 50
Job: International cricketer
Instagram: @bradleyhodge302
Brad Hodge is an Australian cricket coach and former cricketer, who signed up for Celebrity SAS after being encouraged by his kids.
“I was in really good shape and training, so I felt ‘red hot’ to nail it,” he explained.
There might even be a little cricketing rivalry with fellow cricketer Graeme Swann. Brad most notably won the Cricket World Cup in 2007 alongside legends such as Ricky Ponting, Mitchell Johnson, Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath.
Brad prepared for the physical demands of the show with weighted walks to build fitness and stamina, but he admitted he was even more nervous about the mental challenge.
“I practised being in confined spaces and water submersion. I had my son lock me in the boot of his car for around ten minutes a couple of times. That was awful. I even used a torch for the second couple of tries. The goal was to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” he revealed.
Age: 29
Job: Olympic swimmer
Instagram: @mackhorton
Another Olympic swimmer who retired in January 2024, Mack Horton was known throughout his career as “Magnificent Mack.” He won Olympic gold at Rio in 2016, competed in multiple Olympic relay and distance events, and earned four Commonwealth Games gold medals.
Despite retiring from professional sport, Mack was keen to maintain his physical edge and saw Celebrity SAS as the perfect opportunity. Even with his impressive achievements, he knew the show would still push him physically.
“The physical challenge transports you to the mental challenge. Physically, if you have a sporting background, you know how to rally. But being constantly on edge mentally is very different. They’re very good at slowly wearing you down, and that’s the hardest part,” he explained.
Outside of sport, Mack is married to his high school sweetheart, and the couple are expecting their first child this month.
Age: 44
Job: Actor and songwriter
Instagram: @axlewhitehead
Best known for playing Liam Murphy on Home and Away, Axle Whitehead is an Australian musician, actor, and TV personality. The 44-year-old scored a top-10 hit in Australia with I Don’t Do Surprises in 2008, and has previously hosted Video Hits, The World’s Strictest Parents in Australia, and the Australian version of The Wall.
Axle has been a fan of Celebrity SAS since he was a child, so when the offer came in, it was a no-brainer — and it lived up to his expectations, even “changing his life.”
“This opportunity came along at a time in my life when I was looking for something to get me back on track. I feel the most relaxed when I'm under extreme pressure. That's when I feel at peace,” he said.
He might not have the sporting experience of some of the other contestants, but he believes his own background will give him an edge. “Growing up and working on our family farm, often in harsh conditions, taught me real physical and mental resilience,” he explained.
He added: “I also had a massive man crush on Foxy. He's a calm, warm, gentle man, but also a trained killer. And I was curious to find out what the psychological profile of a man like that is and what makes them tick.”
Medical withdrawal.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins Series 8 began on Sunday, 4 January 2026, on Channel 4, airing Sundays and Mondays at 9 PM.
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