Dani Dyer, one of three winners of the latest Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, has called the show the “hardest thing [she’s] ever done”. The latest season of the hit reality show reached an intense conclusion on Sunday night when the former Love Island star was revealed to have passed, alongside fellow Villa icon Gabby Allen and Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm.
Rugby legend Ben Cohen MBE and Emily’s fellow swimmer Mack Horton also made the final, but didn’t quite reach the end.
Taking to Instagram, Dyer – who last year had to duck out of Strictly Come Dancing due to an injury – wrote: “I can’t believe it’s over!! Tonight was the final episode of @sas_whodareswins on @channel4… this was honestly the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I learnt so much along the way and really pushed myself out of my comfort zone.”
She added: “It’s safe to say I’ll never forget this experience… thanks to everyone who’s watched and supported along the way! Your messages have meant so so much to me. Gabby and Emily you got me through it all and I’m so glad I had you both by my side right at the end!! Absolute girl power.”
Paying tribute to the Chief Instructor Billy Billingham MBE and his team of Directing Staff, she went on: “Billy, Jason, Rudy & chris.. just thank you for everything, the support, encouragement and constantly pushing me.
Channel 4
Related: Best streaming services
“I wouldn’t have got to the end without you all (I know you were just as shocked as I was) you are all legends and so grateful for the opportunity.”
Speaking in the aftermath of the finale, Gabby had said that Dani was the one who “surprised” her the most.
“I felt protective of her, but she held her own and never gave up,” she praised. “Standing next to her at the end was incredible. Two girls from Love Island showing everyone what we can do.”
Despite the tough nature of the show, Directing Staff member Jason Fox, aka Foxy, admitted he became emotional watching the end result unfold.
Channel 4
Related: The Traitors’ Stephen wrote Jack a letter after the final
“I love it when people pass the course. Sometimes I have to hold back the odd tear,” he said. “I’m honoured to be part of their journey.”
Other candidates this year included Gladiators’ Toby Olubi, cricketer Graeme Swann, Neighbours’ Ryan Moloney, YouTuber Cole Anderson-James, musician Axle Whitehead, social media personality Jack Joseph, actress and singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte, and reality TV star Jessika Power.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is now streaming on Channel 4.
The new edition of Living Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Taylor Swift, is here! Buy Taylor in newsagents or online, priced at just £8.99.
Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online; specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who’ll listen.