Celebrity SAS 2025 Cast: Full Lineup and Key Facts
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins has a knack for pushing famous faces to their physical and mental limits. The 2025 cast is one of the most diverse yet, mixing drag artists, Premier League footballers, and reality stars — each with something to prove. Series 7, filmed in Morocco, kicked off on 3 August 2025, and the lineup already sparked conversations about inclusion and resilience.
Series: 7 ·
Filming location: Morocco ·
Premier network: Channel 4 ·
Number of contestants: 14 (initial lineup) ·
Withdrew before final: 9 ·
Chief Instructor: Billy Billingham
Quick snapshot
- Cast includes Troy Deeney, Bimini, Michaella McCollum, Lucy Spraggan, Adam Collard, Adebayo Akinfenwa (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Series 7 launched on 3 August 2025 (TTT News (entertainment news site)) (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Filmed in Morocco, the first time the show moved outside the UK (TTT News (entertainment news site)) (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Nine contestants withdrew before the final episodes (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide)) (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Full list of all 14 initial contestants (some names remain unconfirmed)
- Exact number of episodes for Series 7
- Whether the 2026 cast has been finalised
- 2021: Ant Middleton fired from SAS: Who Dares Wins (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- 2024: Ollie Ollerton leaves; Dani Dyer, Gaby Allen, Emily Seebohm win Celebrity SAS (TTT News (entertainment news site)) (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- 2025: Series 7 filmed in Morocco, new cast announced (TTT News (entertainment news site)) (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Series 7 currently airing on Channel 4
- Potential Series 8 casting in 2026 (unconfirmed)
Six confirmed contestants, one pattern: the 2025 lineup draws from fields far removed from traditional military fitness.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Series number | 7 |
| Filming country | Morocco |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Known contestants count | 6 confirmed (Troy Deeney, Bimini, Michaella McCollum, Lucy Spraggan, Adam Collard, Adebayo Akinfenwa) |
| Previous winner(s) | Dani Dyer, Gaby Allen, Emily Seebohm (2024) |
| Notable staff changes | Ollie Ollerton removed in 2024; Ant Middleton fired in 2021 |
The implication: the show’s casting is broadening, but staff turnover suggests tensions behind the scenes.
Who’s on Celebrity SAS 2025?
Full lineup of Celebrity SAS 2025 contestants
- Troy Deeney – former Watford striker (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Bimini – drag artist and DJ, 32 years old (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Michaella McCollum – author and former convicted drug smuggler (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Lucy Spraggan – singer-songwriter (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Adam Collard – former Love Island star (TTT News (entertainment news site))
- Adebayo “The Beast” Akinfenwa – former footballer (withdrew) (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Conor Benn – professional boxer (medically withdrawn) (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Harry Clark – winner of The Traitors season 2 (culled for cheating) (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
Notable former contestants and their backgrounds
- Calum Best (model, early series)
- Ferne McCann (reality TV personality)
- AJ Pritchard (dancer, contested)
- Maisie Smith (actor, EastEnders)
- Georgia Harrison (reality TV)
- Lani Daniels (boxer)
The pattern: Celebrity SAS increasingly recruits from reality TV and social media, not just athletics.
The mix of backgrounds may attract younger viewers, but the physical demands remain the ultimate filter.
Which celebs are in Celebrity SAS?
Selection criteria and variety of participants
Celebrity SAS does not release formal casting criteria, but the 14-person initial lineup traditionally includes a mix of sports stars, reality TV personalities, musicians, and actors. Series 7 added drag performer Bimini to the mix — a first for the show. The programme aims to test mental and physical resilience under extreme conditions (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide)).
Comparison with previous series casts
Earlier series leaned heavily on ex-athletes and soap stars. Series 7, by contrast, includes a convicted drug smuggler, a drag queen, and multiple reality TV contestants. Nine of the 14 dropped out before the finale — the highest withdrawal rate in the show’s history (TTT News (entertainment news site)).
Why this matters: the casting shift may attract younger, more diverse viewers, but the dropout rate suggests the physical demands remain brutal regardless of background.
With 9 out of 14 contestants failing to finish, Series 7 had one of the highest dropout rates in the show’s history, proving the Moroccan terrain lived up to its reputation.
The challenge remains relentless, even for the fittest competitors.
Who is in the Celebrity SAS 2026 cast?
Early rumours and confirmed names for 2026
As of now, the 2026 cast has not been officially announced. Channel 4 typically renews the show within a year of airing, and casting is often ongoing through production. No names have been confirmed by the network or credible sources.
How the 2026 cast compares to 2025
Based on trends, a 2026 series would likely continue the diversification seen in Series 7, with additional reality stars and niche social-media personalities. The show’s directing staff may also see further changes after Ollie Ollerton’s exit.
The pattern: every renewal brings a new demographic mix — expect more influencers and fewer traditional sportspeople.
Bimini’s participation as a drag artist challenged preconceptions, but the show’s handling of diverse contestants has not always been smooth — Ollie Ollerton’s exit over diversity issues raises questions about inclusion behind the scenes.
Why did Ollie Ollerton leave SAS?
Ollie Ollerton’s departure from SAS: Who Dares Wins
Ollie Ollerton was dropped from the show in 2024 in a reported diversity reshuffle. He publicly stated that his “psyops” background was no longer valued, and that he was informed his skill set didn’t fit the new direction (TTT News (entertainment news site)).
Impact on the show’s directing staff
Ollerton had been a core Directing Staff member for multiple series. His departure, combined with Ant Middleton’s earlier firing, left Billy Billingham and Jason Fox as the longest-serving instructors (TTT News (entertainment news site)).
The trade-off: refreshing the staff may bring new perspectives, but losing experienced SAS operators risks changing the show’s credibility.
Who got sacked from SAS: Who Dares Wins?
Ant Middleton’s dismissal and personal conduct controversy
Ant Middleton was axed by Channel 4 in 2021 over “personal conduct” concerns. The network stated that his views did not align with their values (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide)).
Other staff departures and reasons
Beyond Middleton and Ollerton, the show has seen turnover among supporting staff. Notably, some directing staff left due to other career opportunities or personal reasons, though exact details are rarely disclosed.
What this means: the revolving door of senior staff may be intentional — each new instructor brings a different ethos, but continuity suffers.
Timeline of key events
- 2021 – Ant Middleton dismissed from SAS: Who Dares Wins (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- 2024 – Ollie Ollerton leaves the show; Dani Dyer, Gaby Allen, Emily Seebohm win Celebrity SAS (TTT News (entertainment news site))
- 3 August 2025 – Series 7 of Celebrity SAS launches on Channel 4 (TTT News (entertainment news site))
- 2026 – Potential Series 8 casting ongoing (unconfirmed)
The timeline shows a pattern of staff upheaval coinciding with cast diversification.
What we know and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Series 7 started on 3 August 2025 (TTT News (entertainment news site))
- Initial lineup included 14 celebrities (TTT News (entertainment news site))
- Troy Deeney, Bimini, Michaella McCollum, Lucy Spraggan, Adam Collard, Adebayo Akinfenwa are confirmed participants (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Filming took place in Morocco (TTT News (entertainment news site))
- Billy Billingham served as Chief Instructor (TTT News (entertainment news site))
- Nine contestants withdrew before the final (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
- Ant Middleton was fired in 2021; Ollie Ollerton removed in 2024 (Radio Times (UK TV listings guide))
What’s unclear
- Exact number of episodes for Series 7
- Full list of all 14 initial contestants (some names not yet public)
- Whether any contestants who withdrew will return for a future series
- Whether the 2026 cast has been finalised
The split between confirmed and unclear underscores the show’s shift toward broader but less documented casting.
What the contestants and staff say
“I want to prove that drag artists are tough.”
Bimini (contestant, Series 7)
“I was informed my ‘psyops’ background wasn’t needed due to diversity reasons.”
Ollie Ollerton (former Directing Staff)
“Ant Middleton’s views do not align with those of the network.”
Channel 4 (broadcaster) statement on Ant Middleton’s dismissal
These voices frame the underlying tensions behind the on-screen challenges.
What this means for the show’s future
For Channel 4, the diversification of the Celebrity SAS cast is a deliberate bet on relevance. But losing 9 of 14 participants and two high-profile instructors signals growing pains. For UK viewers expecting the same raw military authenticity, the 2025 series delivers physical brutality but a different kind of character study. The choice is clear: embrace a broader definition of resilience, or risk the show becoming just another reality elimination game.
Readers can explore the Celebrity SAS 2025 cast details for a complete breakdown of the cast and instructors.
Frequently asked questions
How many episodes are in Celebrity SAS 2025?
The exact episode count for Series 7 has not been officially confirmed.
What is the age range of contestants on Celebrity SAS?
Contestants typically range from early 20s to late 40s; Series 7 included participants aged around 30-45.
Are there any female winners of Celebrity SAS?
Yes. Dani Dyer, Gaby Allen, and Emily Seebohm won the 2024 series together.
How long does the filming of Celebrity SAS take?
Filming generally spans 2-3 weeks, though exact duration varies by series.
Do contestants get paid to appear on Celebrity SAS?
Contestants typically receive a participation fee, though amounts are not disclosed.
Can anyone apply for Celebrity SAS?
No. The show is invitation-only and selects well-known figures from various fields.
What is the most challenging task on Celebrity SAS?
The infamous “Breathing Room” interrogation and water immersion tasks are traditionally considered the toughest.
These answers address the most common viewer curiosities about the show’s format and rules.
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