Three recruits exit Celebrity SAS after physical tests

Reality star Marnie Simpson, comedian Tez Ilyas and former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw have become the latest contestants to exit Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

The latest phase of the Channel 4 endurance show saw the recruits pulling more than 130lb of kit in a race across 3km of icy terrain with a partner, before battling their colleague in hand-to-hand combat.

Moments into the first challenge, former Geordie Shore star Simpson became frustrated at not being able to put her snow spikes on her shoes before she quit the show.

She told fellow recruits and directing staff: “I’m so done… I just want to go home. I’ve accepted it, I’m just not cut out for it.”

In a piece to camera, she added: “I don’t think I’m a diva. I can only do what’s physically possible so if I’m doing something I don’t believe is physically possible, I can’t do it.

“I just feel like a lot of people are ‘each man for themself’ kind of world. I’m not like that.

“I wouldn’t leave a man behind, but ultimately not many people are like that.”

Her departure meant her partner, former professional boxer Anthony Ogogo, was left to complete the rest of the task alone.

Stand-up Ilyas, who was paired with reality star Pete Wicks for the challenge, struggled so much to take the kit across the terrain that a member of the crew requested his armband and sent him back to the medic.

He told Ilyas: “You’ve got nothing left to give, you’re becoming a safety problem.”

Wicks, who competed on the show in 2022 but was medically withdrawn, has returned for the new series on the South Island of New Zealand.

Reflecting on why he was giving the show another try, he said: “Because last time I failed and I f***** up and I hate that, and that’s why I’m back.

“I have a lot of what ifs, and I hate what ifs, I have too many in my life already.”

After Ilyas’s departure, Wicks continued on the course alone but was later told to stop by directing staff to be medically assessed after he became dizzy.

He was cleared to continue but was told that if it happened again he would have leave the course.

Later in the episode, the recruits faced their partners in a physical and mental test.

While battling professional basketball player and Love Island star Ovie Soko, rugby star Robshaw injured his shoulder, telling the team: “My shoulder’s gone.”

After being assessed, the medical team told him he would have to medically withdraw as his shoulder could “pop at any time”.

The task saw Love Island star Georgia Harrison beat Rachel Johnson, who is the sister of former prime minister Boris Johnson.

Actor John Barrowman, 57, was the first to quit the sixth series, 32 minutes after he arrived at base camp.

Other contestants competing in the 2024 series include former Olympic gymnast Ellie Downie and world heavyweight champion boxer Lani Daniels.

Reality TV Star Bianca Gascoigne, TV presenter Cherry Healey, comedian Shazia Mirza and reality star Bobby Norris complete the line-up.

During an interview with directing staff, model Gascoigne spoke about her upbringing being “troubled” due to her football star father Paul Gascoigne being in the spotlight and batting alcohol addiction.

She said: “I felt if he loved me enough he would stop.”

Series six of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins will air on Channel 4 every Sunday and Monday.