Hit reality show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, which is gearing up to film its ninth series in Malaysia, has had its line-up unveiled – and it’s one that’s raised a few eyebrows.
The Channel 4 programme has reportedly enlisted a wide array of competitors, from past controversial Strictly Come Dancing stars like Giovanni Pernice and Thomas Skinner to personalities from the ranks of Love Island and Towie.
Among the 14 celebrities for this series are the show’s first-ever trans participant, as well as a man who went viral for dancing – and his haircut – in Ibiza last summer. Now ‘Ibiza Final Boss’ is set to be a TV star.
Boxer Nicola Adams, former rugby player Phil Vickery and US singer and former Celebrity Big Brother star JoJo Siwa are also set to take part, according to The Sun.
Here’s a look at everyone who is thought to be up for the challenges laid out before them by chief instructor Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham, Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox, Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver in the jungle.
Giovanni Pernice
Former Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice is making his UK TV comeback on Celebrity SAS, having not been seen on our screens since November 2023.
He was dropped from the show after celebrity partner Amanda Abbington withdrew from the competition and later formally raised complaints about his behaviour.
The broadcaster issued an apology to the actress, 52, and upheld some of her complaints against the Italian dancer, 35, but cleared him of the most serious allegations, with him later telling fans how ‘happy’ he was for it all to be ‘over’.
A source told the publication that producers were ‘absolutely thrilled’ to have signed him.
‘He is a real housewives’ favourite and has an absolutely huge fan base, especially among women, so bosses are hopeful he may draw in a few Strictly fans.’
‘He is also incredibly fit and mentally resilient after years of professional dance training,’ they added.
Thomas Skinner
Another controversial signing from Strictly, Tom was the first contestant to be eliminated last seried after being paired with popular pro Amy Dowden.
But messiness ensued afterwards as he claimed he was unfairly eliminated and skipped out on returning for the final, as is customary.
The Apprentice star – who returned for the celebrity edition – said he received an anonymous email claiming to be from a BBC exec ‘with stats, saying I’d received far more votes than it appeared’.
The BBC hit back, insisting the public vote was ‘independently overseen and verified to ensure complete accuracy every week’.
A spokesperson added at the time: ‘Any claims to the contrary are entirely without foundation. Unfortunately, despite requests for it, Mr Skinner is yet to share the email he references with anyone from the BBC, so we are unable to comment on it.’
JoJo Siwa
American singer and former child star JoJo, 22, has singed up for her third Britishreality show in a year after appearing on both CBB and Celebrity Bake Off.
An insider revealed to The Sun: ‘JoJo really impressed Channel 4 bosses with her stint on Celebrity Bake Off, so they were desperate to work with her again.
‘She has consistently proven what great reality TV fodder she is – after all it’s where she got her start on Dance Moms, so she is a natural in front of the camera.’
She also famously found love with fellow CBB housemate Chris Hughes, 33, breaking up her relationship at the time with partner Kath Ebbs, and so has ties to the UK.
JoJo also took part in the US version of Celebrity SAS in 2023, known as Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, where she ended up withdrawing in the final episode.
Amy Childs
Original Towie star Amy Childs, who also starred in her own spin-off from 2011 to 2012, has reportedly signed up to test her mettle and ‘be pushed to her limit’.
The influencer and model returned to the show that made her famous in 2020 and met her now-husband Billy Delbosq on a night out in 2021.
They have since had twins together, whom they are raising together alongside Amy’s two older children from previous relationships.
Mum-of-four Amy is keen ‘to prove to herself and her children that she has what it takes’.
Ibiza Final Boss
One of the more suprising signings this series is the influencer known as ‘Ibiza Final Boss’ – real name Jack Kay.
Jack rose to fame after going viral last summer thanks to his dance moves and eye-catching bowl haircut, in a clip which attracted 29.5 million views on Instagram.
Within weeks he was starring in his own Channel 4 documentary about his experience going viral, and he now boasts 221k followers on Instagram and 1526k on TikTok.
He’s one of three influencers on the line-up, with bosses hopeful any memes the show will spawn of him doing challenges could provide a big social boost for the show.
It’s thought Jack is seen as a ‘particularly interesting name’ as a signing because he’s only known as ‘the bowl haircut joker from TikTok’.
Ella Morgan
Married at First Sight UK star Ella, 32, will be making history as Celeb SAS’s first-ever trans competitor.
She was also the first trans bride on MAFS, paired with Nathanial Valentino after he was informed in advance with her consent, before re-entering the competition in a couple with JJ Slater after Nathanial left following a row about her and JJ’s relationship.
The model and presnter has also since appeared on Celebs Go Dating in 2024.
She’s been described by an insider as ‘a tough cookie’ who is ‘more than ready’ to take on everything the show could throw at her – and without her beloved glam hair, make-up and nails.
Phil Vickery
Former England rugby player Phil Vickery – who was in the World Cup-winning squad in 2003, playing in every match of the tournament – has also signed up.
Not to be confused with the celebrity chef of the same name, Phil did actually win the 2011 series of Celebrity Masterchef.
The 50-year-old earned 73 caps for England in his international career, captaining the side for the 2007 World Cup.
His career as a tighthead prop saw him given the nickname ‘raging bull’
Nicola Adams
Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams is another tough athlete who will apparently be taking part.
The 43-year-old former professional boxer – who retired undefeated – had the first Barbie boxer modelled after her in 2018, and went on to hold the World Boxing Organization (WBO) female flyweight title in 2019 before retiring.
Niicola took part in the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dacing as part of the show’s first same-sex couple with Katya Jones, but was forced to withdraw weeks in after her partner contracted Covid.
Konan
One half of hip-hop duo Krept & Konan, Konan – real name Karl Dominic Wilson – has signed up, marking his primetime television debut.
The 36-year-old broke the record for the highest-charting album by an unsigned act when the pair’s 2013 mix tape Young Kingz entered the top 20.
They also previously appeared on screen for BBC Three’s The Rap Game UK in 2019, and in 2021 documentary Krept and Konan: We Are England, where they made a football song for the UEFA Euros Tournament.
He also boasts a MOBO award, BET award and a British Empire Medal from the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to music and the Croydon community, with a restaurant opened that employed young offenders as one enterprise.
Sam Wolfenden
Sam has a thriving social media career after becoming known as ‘the world’s hottest farrier’ – or, as he calls himself, ‘the hoof guy’.
The 33-year-old regularly posts videos from his day job, sorting many horseshoes in many stables, to his 1.3 million Instagram followers, and has previously appeared on This Morning.
A source told The Sun that Sam was ‘keen to show off his physical strength and open up about some of his vulnerabilities too’, with Celeb SAS the opportunity he had been ‘waiting for’.
Tyrique Hyde
Love Island star Tyrique Hyde is another of the reality star signings this series.
After appearing on series 10 in 2023, as well as Love Island Games, the 27-year-old recently struck up a relationship with fellower Islander alum Samie Elishi, just weeks after her All Stars win with ex Ciaran Davis.
That was reportedly part of what attracted Channel 4 bosses to offer him a spot, alongside his ‘no holds barred stream videos’.
George Baggs
George, 23, is best known for appearing on fellow Channel 4 show Gogglebox, alongside the rest of his family, including older brother Joe, 29.
Having stepped away from the show that gave him a platform – and earned him 449k followers in the process – he’s reportedly swapping light comedy skits for the heavy-duty tests of Celeb SAS as he breaks out on his own.
Anna Woolhouse
Broadcast journalist Anna Woolhouse is best known for her work on Sky Sports since 2012, where she’s the lead boxing presenter.
She has also covered ice hockey, rugby league, darts and basketball, and last month it was announced she was heading to entertainment streaming platform DAZN to be part of their British boxing broadcasts.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins marks her reality TV debut.
Adeola Patreonne
Influencer Adeola Patronne is thought to complete the line-up this series.
The 31-year-old has a combined following of over 675k between her individual Instagram, TikTok and YouTube accounts, after becoming known as one of the creators behind vlog channel Meet The Patronnes.
As well as launching her own skincare line, Adeola co-hosted the BBC’s Pressed Podcast alongside Mariam Musa before launching her own Deep It, and has previously appeared on Channel 4’s digital shows such as her own series Ready or Not, Tapped Out and Harry Pinero’s Worst in Class.
Metro has contacted producers for comment.
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