Channel 4 viewers were left up in arms on Sunday evening after two prominent figures abandoned Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins within hours of beginning the gruelling programme, creating unprecedented turmoil in the opening episode of the latest series.
Former S Club 7 vocalist Hannah Spearritt, 44, became the initial casualty when she surrendered her number tag before attempting the second challenge, telling instructors: “I’m done, I’m sorry, I’ve reached a point.”
Television choreographer Louie Spence followed shortly afterwards, requesting “an immediate withdrawal” after botching a hostage rescue exercise where he prematurely detonated a grenade whilst civilians remained inside the building.
Both departures occurred on day one of filming, with Spearritt’s exit happening merely 30 minutes into Sunday evening’s broadcast.
The military-style reality programme commenced with 14 hooded participants positioned on a breakwater, where chief instructor Billy Billingham demanded their identities whilst warning several contestants: “Don’t grin at me.”
The recruits faced two demanding exercises: initially diving 26 feet into freezing waters before swimming to reach an intercepting vessel, followed by a simulated hostage extraction from a compound requiring explosive demolition.
Spearritt withdrew before the rescue operation commenced, despite previously stating in recorded footage she didn’t “think she’d go on the first day” as she “wouldn’t forgive myself.”
Spence’s withdrawal came after his failed rescue attempt alongside Love Island’s Chloe Burrows, where his premature grenade deployment endangered the remaining hostages.
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When offered another opportunity to continue, the Pineapple Dance Studios personality declined, explaining: “I just don’t have the conviction, and I feel as though I’m not dedicated enough.”
The pair weren’t the only ones who struggled as former model Rebecca Loos encountered significant difficulties during the initial water challenge, abandoning her attempt to reach the designated checkpoint whilst floating motionless in the freezing sea.
The 48-year-old’s failure prompted an interrogation session with directing staff, during which she faced questions regarding her alleged relationship with footballer David Beckham, for whom she previously served as a personal assistant.
Loos’s struggle marked another early setback for participants, as she ceased swimming midway through the exercise whilst instructors observed from their positions.
The confrontational questioning session followed standard procedure for recruits who fail challenges, with staff utilising the opportunity to probe sensitive personal matters as part of the programme’s psychological testing regime.
Former Watford striker Troy Deeney also mistakenly launched a grenade into the building before ensuring all hostages were clear, leading to an intense debriefing where he revealed experiencing physical violence alongside his mother from his deceased father.
This combination of incompetence, celebrity exits, and an overriding disdain for the calibre of celebrity Channel 4 had signed up left a number of viewers taking to social media to complain.
“Why sign up for it if you’re going to jack it in so easily It’s hardly as if they don’t know what sort of things they’ll be pushed to do?” one fan questioned on X.
“#SASWhoDaresWins used to love this show, and I’m full of admiration of the DS and their service, but I’m really sorry Billy and Foxy, this is awful,” a second complained before a third echoed: “Another Channel 4 programme that has outrun it’s course. A bit like Hunted. Poor choice of celebrities, then the only familiar name Louie Spence gives up. Just grab the money and leave. #SASWhoDaresWins.”
A fourth hit out: “This has to be the worst bunch of recruits yet – hardly any passes & two withdrawals in 50 minutes #SASWhoDaresWins.”
“A pre selection test should surely take place to keep this competitive? #SASWhoDaresWins,” added a fifth while a sixth weighed in: “Poor first episode so far at this rate the series will be over quicker than expected #SASWhoDaresWins.”
However, others were more understanding about the exits, with on X user sympathetically typing: “Wow 2 gone within day 1 Brutal start to the toughest show #SASWhoDaresWins.” (sic)
Episode 1, done! We’re already two recruits down. Join us again tomorrow evening at 9pm to see if we lose any more #SASWhoDaresWins
— Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins (#SASWhoDaresWins) (@SAS_WDW) August 3, 2025
Unlike conventional elimination-based reality programmes, Celebrity SAS operates without voting systems, instead allowing participants to voluntarily withdraw or face removal by directing staff, with survivors at the conclusion being named victors.
The remaining 12 participants include former drug smuggler Michaella McCollum, ex-footballers Adebayo Akinfenwa and Troy Deeney, Strictly Come Dancing 2025 finalist Tasha Ghouri, The Traitors champion Harry Clark, rapper Lady Leshurr, boxer Conor Benn, singer Lucy Spraggan, and Love Island alumni Chloe Burrows and Adam Collard.
