Freddie Girdlestone interview for SAS: Who Dares Wins

7 October 2015

What is your job in normal life?

I am an actor.

 

Why did you want to take part in such a gruelling ordeal?

I wanted to take part in such an ordeal to test myself physically and mentally, to learn my limits and for the pure fun of it.

 

What did you expect from the experience?

I don't know what I expected really. I thought it was going to be very militant, with lots of marching and shouting as well as seriously challenging physically, and mentally. I had no idea what to expect with regards to the other applicants and how they were going to integrate us all.

 

Was it what you expected?

Yes I think generally it was what I expected in terms of the types of exercises we did and fitness tests. However, I never expected to get along so well with the other applicants and create such tight bonds.

 

What was harder, the physical or the psychological aspects?

I was very much surprised with myself as the physical and mental aspects were not as testing as I thought (or I did better than I expected). It was the lack of food and sleep that I found seriously tough. I love food and I love my sleep.

 

What was the hardest aspect of the whole experience?

The hardest aspect of the whole experience, was the constant not knowing what was next. We'd come back in off exercise sand we wouldn't ever know what's next. Do I have time for a shower? Shall I get some sleep? Shall I take my boots off and let my socks dry? Shall I eat some of my precious rations or are they going to feed us tonight? Complete head fuck.

 

What were your highest point?

My highest point was coming first on Pen Y Fan. It's a renowned exercise of the SAS and deemed very tough. I couldn't believe I was ahead of all the other extremely fit guys, and I made it within the SAS cut off time.

 

Did you bond with your fellow recruits?

Yes I bonded with the other recruits extremely well. Unbelievably well. I've genuinely met some friends for life.

 

How did you feel towards your instructors?

Although the instructors beasted us so much it was very difficult not to respect them. Although at times you very much wanted to tell them to fuck off.

 

Did you spend any time thinking about what else you could have been doing with your holiday?

No. You were so drawn in to what was around you and so focused on the day, I didn't think once about the outside world or what else I could be doing.

 

What – if anything – have you learned about yourself?

The thing I've learned most about myself is how fit I am! I couldn't believe it. I'm a big drinker and big smoker and did so well against the other guys that were extremely fit.

 

Has the whole experience changed you?

I don't think the experience has changed me much. It's made me want to do more physically and keep fit. I don't think I'll ever complain about going to work tired or hungover again after going through all of that. And I think it has taught me to be more open minded towards people, as I couldn’t believe how tough some of the recruits were after judging them on the first day.

 

Would you want to join the army – or even the SAS – given the opportunity?

I very nearly joined the Royal Marines after school at 16. I am drawn to the excitement and adrenaline that comes with a life in the military. And I could never ever do a normal 9-to-5 office job, that would kill me. But I'm too much of a free spirit for the military and I really want to act, more than anything else.

 

SAS: Who Dares Wins starts on Monday 19th October at 9pm on Channel 4