Grant, Joshua and Hilary Pass SAS: Who Dares Wins - Jungle Hell Selection in Dramatic Series Finale
Category: News Release
22 February 2023
The series concluded last night on Channel 4 and you can catch the whole of Series 8 on All 4 here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/sas-who-dares-wins
Tonight, SAS: Who Dares Wins – Jungle Hell comes to an end on Channel 4, as Chief Instructor Billy Billingham and his team of DS (directing staff) – Foxy, (Jason Fox), Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver reveal that Grant (2), Joshua (3) and Hilary (4), have PASSED this year’s selection course, in the gruelling Vietnamese jungle.
Over the past five weeks, twenty ordinary men and women, have been attempting to complete the jungle phase of SAS selection but tonight (Tuesday 21 February, 9pm, Channel 4), as the series finale concludes, with four recruits remaining (Grant (2), Joshua (3), Hilary (4), Faye (7)), Billy reveals that only THREE recruits have passed the course. On making the announcement, he says: “Take a breath, relax, it’s been a tough f*cking course, so it's a massive achievement for all of you right now standing in front of us. The question we always ask is - could we have that person stood next to us. Number seven (Faye), the answer was no, but for the remainder of you, congratulations, good effort you've all passed the selection process. Well done! F*cking good effort! Congratulations to all of you - it’s a massive achievement!”
On passing the course, Grant said: “As a civilian taking on Special Forces tasks and challenges, I felt super human! I felt like a new man...I feel proud.”
Joshua commented: “It’s an amazing, indescribable feeling. I had a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m very proud of my achievement! I was buzzing, to say the least, and just glad I dug deep to see it through to the end.”
Hilary adds: “It feels so so amazing, so liberating and so satisfying to have made it through. I would never have thought I would get this far at all…I definitely left there a changed person, not just for a while but forever. I feel so empowered and honoured to say that I have completed something like that.”
Full interviews with Grant, Joshua and Hilary can be found below.
All episode 6 clips can be found here
Click here to download a high res image of Grant, Hilary, Joshua, Rudy, Chris, Billy and Foxy
Click here for all episode 6 images
Throughout this series, the DS combined their skills and experience in jungle warfare to create the toughest course yet. It’s been the ultimate test of man versus the elements, where everything’s out to kill you. Vietnam is flooded with conflict history and is where the rules of guerrilla warfare were re-written. The conditions can work for or against, push you or break you, but ultimately only the toughest survive.
In this final episode, the remaining seven recruits were captured by an elite Hunter Force team, deep in the Vietnamese jungle and were brought in to be questioned by a specialist team of interrogators with over 40 years experience in war zones. Over the following 14 hours, the recruits were subjected to punishing interrogation techniques, as they used a cover story to hide their true mission. In the most feared phase of the course, they received severe punishments, including being held in stress positions for hours and being buried alive in a bid to force a confession. Only four recruits made it through this phase to compete in a final 'Sickener' task, but as the recruits edged closer to the end of the selection course, only THREE proved they were mentally and physically tough enough to pass?
SAS: Who Dares Wins – Jungle Hell is a Minnow Films production for Channel 4. The Executive Producers are Liam Humphreys, Ricky Kelehar and Richard Cooke, the Series Producer is Joe Ward and Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Science and Adventure is Jonah Weston.
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For further information, interview requests and to view the programmes, please contact:
Gail Davidson gail@gaildavidsonpr.co.uk
Picture Enquiries to:
Carl Palmer CAPalmer@Channel4.co.uk / picturepublicity@channel4.co.uk
INTERVIEWS WITH GRANT (2), JOSHUA (3) AND HILARY (4)
NAME: Grant
RECRUIT NUMBER: 2
AGE: 37
GENDER: Male
FROM: Edinburgh
OCCUPATION: Bin Man
MARITAL STATUS: Engaged
Grant lives in Edinburgh with his Fiancé and his two dogs Lola and Lucky. Grant has an eclectic employment history, having worked as a fitness instructor on cruise ships and hotels across Europe for 7-8 years. He now works in waste disposal and calls himself a ‘Ninja Binman’.
Grant had a tough time growing up and was bullied at school because he had an interest in performing arts. He also had trouble concentrating and put it down to just being a bit stupid. Throughout his life, Grant has struggled with his mental health and has suffered from extreme highs, lows and regular emotional outbursts. Last year, after a dark spell, Grant was diagnosed with ADHD after his mum suggested that he speak to a professional about it. After getting the diagnosis, Grant felt relief that he could understand why he has acted a certain way in his life but also frustration because he wishes he was diagnosed, while in school.
Grant sees taking part in SAS as a chance for rebirth after learning about his diagnosis. He admires the DS and hopes to learn from them.
Congratulations! You passed selection! How does that feel?
As a civilian taking on Special Forces tasks and challenges, I felt super human! I felt like a new man...I feel proud. The DS put this course together. To pass this course makes me feel very proud as the DS standards are very high.
How did you keep strong and continue through the interrogation phase?
I did Tabata intervals in stress positions to keep my brain occupied and set myself small challenges to ensure I remained present. Not allowing my thoughts to become negative, I kept thinking about other fellow recruits, worrying about how they were getting on. But I also knew in my head it was going to end at some point, so keeping that at the forefront of my mind really helped me get through it.
The last part of the course was the toughest and not many made it past that stage. What made you keep going?
During the last part, I kept thinking of breaking it up into small sections. Like interrogation started with interval training and then the stress positions…
And just when you thought it was all over…there was that final sickener. How did you manage to keep going?
I kept going knowing that no victory was possible with excuses. I just hyper focused, which kept me going. I just wanted to get to the end.
Why do you think you made it to the end?
I kept thinking why. I can hyper focus which keeps me going. But ultimately, I made it to the end because I wanted to be there. Simple!
Why do you think the DS selected you? What do you think you did differently to the other recruits who didn’t make it to the end?
Throughout the course I always mucked in. I was always a team player and always gave 100% on every task but also, I kept my team at heart!
Did any of the DS inspire you to keep going to the end?
I felt that every time Rudy spoke to me, he was leading me to war, so I wanted to show Rudy that the underdog was behind him, no matter what. Rudy is an inspiration!
At any point in the course, did you consider giving up? What made you continue?
I kept thinking there’s no half time break. You have two options. Do it or don’t and I wanted to be on the course.
What was the worst part of the course for you? Why?
The worst part was never knowing what was next. Living in the unknown was unnerving and screwed with my head.
Would you ever consider joining the military after this experience?
Yes, absolutely, 100%
What was the first thing you did after you left the course?
I embraced and hugged the final recruits and then ate a entire tube of Pringles!
What did you do to celebrate passing the course?
I cracked open a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale and fizz with my fiancée, then she took me for the most kick ass pizza, accompanied by the in-laws! But most importantly, I celebrated with all I really wanted - amazing cuddles!
At any point did you think the harsh jungle environment would beat you?
The jungle was complex and endlessly unforgiving and I thought the environment could absolutely beat me. It was unpredictable and I was not familiar with the elements, wildlife and climate.
What was the worst thing about the jungle?
Always being wet!
Why did you decide to take part in SAS: Who Dares Wins?
As person with ADHD, diagnosed at 35 years old, I now realise why I found myself in a cycle of shame. Shame for things I have said, or maybe done before reading the room the way a neurotypical person might. Or shame simply from a childhood drama that still haunts me today. I wanted to demonstrate to myself that several difficulties I faced could be overcome in an incredibly unnerving and physically challenging environment.
What did you hope to get out of this experience?
To highlight that it’s not the case that I can’t do things, but more that I am able to take on the challenges the DS gave us, but possibly in a different way to the neurotypical person. For example, memory retention is something I find difficult, so adults like myself have to adapt by using learning strategies. There were a couple of tasks, especially the more mental tasks, where this happened.
Did it meet your expectations? What was different? What was as expected? And why?
It absolutely met my expectations and more. What was different was not being able to manage my emotions like I do in everyday life. The unknown is something I had to accept and accepting that I didn’t know when the task would end and when the DS would throw a spanner in the works. What I did expect was to see people expose their most vulnerable side and let their emotions lead them, dictating whether they stayed or not.
What did you learn about yourself from this experience?
I learnt not to compare myself to others and not to judge a book by its cover. I also learnt that I’m not the biggest person, in fact I’m a wee guy and that doesn’t matter. I have a condition and several problems, which, in normal life, I played to my advantage. I’m all or nothing. They asked for 100%, I gave them that.
Summarise your whole SAS: Who Dares Wins experience?
A rebirth. For 35 years I just thought I was an odd egg who would accept what life hands him, but I reckon I just handed my old self its ass!
NAME: JOSHUA
RECRUIT NUMBER: 3
AGE: 24
GENDER: Male
FROM: Ilford
OCCUPATION: Professional Boxer
MARITAL STATUS: Single
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOURSELF: I love cereal
Joshua is an up-and-coming professional boxer. He grew up in East London with his mother, two older brothers and one older sister. His father wasn’t around much.
Joshua says he grew up in a neighbourhood where “the weak get eaten”. He became involved in crime and was charged with possession of an offensive weapon before discovering boxing at the age of 16 and turning his life around. He now has a young family and a promising career as a super-welterweight.
Joshua says he is still battling the temptations of his youth, and as a result can come across as very reserved at first, but opens up once he gets to know the other people in his company. Joshua claims he always thought showing emotion was a weakness but now realises it’s good to talk and wants to get rid of his demons.
Congratulations! You passed selection! How does that feel?
It’s an amazing, indescribable feeling. I had a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m very proud of my achievement! I was buzzing, to say the least, and just glad I dug deep to see it through to the end.
How did you keep strong and continue through the interrogation phase?
I just kept talking to myself and telling myself positive things and that it will all be over soon.
And just when you thought it was all over…there was that final sickener. How did you manage to keep going?
I was mentally and physically drained but I had in the front of my mind that I need to be ready to “get ready to go again” and I just genuinely wanted to finish the course strong.
Why do you think you made it to the end?
My mindset and burning desire to find out what I’m made of. Just embracing the experience and also the inner drive of wanting to make myself, my family and my coach proud and knowing I gave it my 100% all. I’m always striving to see how far I can push myself and if I can take it to the next level. But my mindset got me to the end.
Why do you think the DS selected you – what do you think you did differently to the other recruits who didn’t make it to the end?
I think I was selected because they saw me for who I really am and not who I come across as, I believe I was fully committed to giving it my all. I’d say I kept my head, in adverse situations, and stayed as positive as possible throughout. I’d also say that I was a team player and tried to push and uplift the other recruits when it was needed.
Did any of the DS inspire you to keep going to the end?
Yes, all four of them. Especially Billy and Foxy.
Would you ever consider joining the military after this experience?
Yes, I would love to, maybe if I was 18 fresh out of school it would be a no brainer.
What was the first thing you did after you left the course?
Call my family and coach and eat some chocolates.
What did you do to celebrate?
I spent time with my wife and two girls. They had a little surprise welcome home party for us when I got back and I ate loads of crap!
At any point in the course, did you consider giving up? What made you continue?
The thought definitely crossed my mind at certain stages and there were parts of the course when I really did question what I was doing. There were moments in the earlier part of the course where I would think about my family back home and my two daughters, which would make me emotional and frustrated, but I just kept telling myself that it’s all for a purpose and the talk I had with Foxy was a big turning point for me as it lifted a massive weight off my shoulders and helped me come out my shell and enjoy the course more. Conversations I had with no.18 (Levi) helped me too.
The last part of the course was the toughest and not many made it past that stage. What made you keep going?
Knowing that I had made it this far and overcome so much, I wasn’t planning to fail at the last hurdle, I kind of just zoned out and focused on the things I could control, like staying positive and keeping calm.
What was the worst part of the course for you? Why?
The interrogation was the part of the course I was dreading the most and it lived up to it. I’ve always struggled with authority, and I didn’t know how I’d react. I also was anxious about how I’d cope with the stress positions and if it would break me mentally.
Describe the jungle? At any point did you think the harsh jungle environment would beat you? What was the worst thing about the jungle?
The worst thing about the jungle was the humidity for me and constantly being wet. Getting beasted in the scorching sun felt like I was being smothered and cooked at the same time.
Why did you decide to take part in SAS: Who Dares Wins?
To see if I had what it takes to push myself beyond my physical capabilities and also to mentally challenge myself and see how I would react in extreme conditions.
What did you hope to get out of this experience?
A fresh outlook on life and build my self-confidence. Also, to see how I would react in certain situations and how I would deal with the challenges presented to me.
Did it meet your expectations? What was different? What was as expected? And why?
It surpassed my expectations. The whole experience was unbelievable. I’ve taken many things away from the experience, such as learning to be comfortable when things are uncomfortable. Being beasted and shouted at was expected but when you are there live in the flesh under extreme pressure and crazy climates, it’s a completely different mental and physical ball game. I don’t think any amount of training could’ve prepared me for the course although some military training techniques I done before helped me a bit.
What did you learn about yourself from this experience?
That majority of things in life come down to your mindset and how you view a situation. Also, that it’s good to get outside my comfort zone, experience new things, meet new people and face my fears head on.
NAME: HILARY (HILS)
RECRUIT NUMBER: 4
AGE: 31
GENDER: Female
FROM: Barnet
OCCUPATION: Personal Trainer
MARITAL STATUS: Single
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOURSELF: I love to dance salsa and I love to fight (boxing)
Hilary lives in North London with her 2-year-old daughter and works as a HIIT, boxing and kettlebell instructor and PT.
Hilary grew up in a traditional Columbian family and says walking into her mum’s house was like walking into Cali. She competed in athletics when she was younger and later moved into body building and white-collar boxing.
When Hilary was four months pregnant, her relationship with her partner broke down. She left him and fell into pre and post-natal depression. Hilary was eventually able to pull herself out of the depression and two years later is proud to be a single mum to a beautiful daughter and is in the best shape of her life. She wants to join the course to show that she is so much more than just a single mum.
Congratulations! You passed selection! How does that feel?
It feels so so amazing, so liberating and so satisfying to have made it through. I would never have thought I would get this far at all, but this experience benefited me as a person. I definitely left there a changed person, not just for a while but forever. Having done something like this stops you from taking things for granted, stop you from saying you can’t do something, when you more then can, and makes you start believing in yourself deeply and wholeheartedly. The mind is capable of so many things that you cannot even imagine. I feel so empowered and honoured to say that I have completed something like that, not for the competitive side of things but because I truly did it with transparency to myself, knowing that I gave it my all and I unlocked new levels and things inside me that I never knew I had.
How did you keep strong and continue through the interrogation phase?
One of the main things I would think about was “Hilary, you made it this far, this is no time to go back now!” I was so close to the end. At this point, more than ever, I was not letting ANYTHING distract me or pull me apart. I genuinely felt like I was on a mission (a mission for myself deep down inside) and I was not going to give in so easily, especially when I could smell the end.
And just when you thought it was all over…there was that final sickener. How did you manage to keep going?
I really hated this part. When you least expect it, worse to still come. By this point I felt absolutely exhausted, no sleep, hungry, thirsty, cuts, bruises, sore feet…! I really didn’t think I was going to make it. It felt impossible. It really made me question myself. I really did not know what to expect, whether my body could continue or not, I just knew that I had to try, because if I didn’t, that would be an even worse experience and everything I had worked for would go to sh**. So in the end I guess my plan was to keep going until my body couldn’t continue anymore, because to me that was 100% effort. It was all of me!
Why do you think you made it to the end?
I believe that throughout this whole journey, I had in my mind and in my heart the most important thing in my life and that was my daughter. I would do absolutely anything for her and every time I had a challenge or felt like giving up, I would think of her and I would find this mighty strength from God knows where. She has always been the light of my life, in even my darkest moments and being pregnant with her and almost wanting to take my own life, the thought of her also going if I was to go, was what stopped me from doing it. The ONLY thing that stopped me. And this is why I find my strength from her. She saved my life and also changed my whole life, made me feel purpose, love and life again.
I never had so much luck in my life in general, I felt that my life, until the point that I had my daughter, was not the way I had wanted to live it. I was always following others, or being afraid of what people thought of me, not standing up for myself and letting people take advantage of me. After this, I promised myself I would change. I felt so strongly that I wanted to change my life and I felt that SAS was part of that journey of self-discovery and development for me that I needed. I needed this to prove things to myself that I would always doubt or not believe about myself, to really know what I am capable of and how strong my mind can be. Because of this massive feeling, I was always giving 100% because for the first time ever I felt like I was doing something for me and not living and doing things for others. I HAD to prove to myself that I am so much more than the lifeless life I felt I was living before.
Also having said this, my team mates also made a massive contribution to it all. Everyone was so friendly and motivating that it also made a difference to my mindset, especially on those days when I felt weaker. It definitely showed me that you cannot always do things alone, and you need help from others. Support wherever you can is such an important factor.
Why do you think the DS selected you – what do you think you did differently to the other recruits who didn’t make it to the end?
I believe that I always gave 100%, which was what the DS would always ask for. I felt that as long as I always gave 100%, that was all that mattered. And I always made sure I did. Now I’m not saying that the other recruits didn’t give 100%, but I feel like 100% means something different for every person. I believe that there is this level in our mind that says limit (100%) and another in our body. The mind perceives the body’s limits based on all the things that we have experienced in our lives and based on what we can determine is our limit, so this will automatically be different for everyone. But the thing is that’s only based on the limits that you have been through in the past. Once something comes along and pushes that whole new limit way higher than you knew, that’s when you need to stop your mind from wanting to make you stop because you are exceeding that old limit and your body now feels uncomfortable and wants to fight back to stop you from feeling this way. I fought so hard in my mind to make myself keep going. It was not easy at all, but it was all mindset. I have pushed myself so hard in this course that I even felt an out of body experience, where I was just going and going and going, but I no longer felt I was in my body, I just felt numb and my body was on autopilot. By this I know that 100% really isn't what we think, it is in our minds.
Did any of the DS inspire you to keep going to the end?
Rudy was great! I felt like he would see me at my toughest moments of strength and let me know about it. And this to me meant so much more than what it was. Because even though I was proving to no one but to myself that I could do this, I saw that Rudy could see I could do this too, and that let me know that not only am I proving this to myself but other people can recognise this and I am also proving it to them too.
At any point in the course, did you consider giving up? What made you continue?
Yes I did, but there were so many more pros than cons as to why I should finish than to take the easy way out and give up.
I’ve never had much luck in my life in general. I felt that my life, until the point that I had my daughter, was not the way I had wanted to live it. I was always following others, or being afraid of what people thought of me, not standing up for myself and letting people taking advantage of me. After this I promised myself I would change. I felt so strongly that I wanted to change my life and I felt that SAS: Who Dares Wins was part of the journey of self-discovery and development for me that I needed, to prove things to myself that I would always doubt or not believe about myself, to really know what I am capable of and how strong my mind can be. Because of this massive feeling, I was always giving 100% because for the first time ever, I felt like I was doing something for me and not living and doing things for others. I HAD to prove to myself that I am so much more than the lifeless life I felt I was living before. This is what made me continue.
What was the worst part of the course for you? Why?
The worse part was definitely the interrogation. It was the longest and most challenging part, especially after doing so many challenges and days at the jungle. Because we were always in pitch black listening to these horrible sounds, it felt so much easier to say actually this is a lot and give up your number. I am also not great at intimidation and having people shout at me. I get scared off quite easily when it comes to violent behaviour, and because there were so many different aspects to this part of the course, it made it the hardest.
Would you ever consider joining the military after this experience?
NO WAY! I feel like after going through what I did, it is the toughest, most intense and scariest on edge thing I have ever done! And this was just a small taste of the real thing! It’s too much for me. I feel like I got what I wanted from it and it was the most amazing experience as I did come out a changed person after that. But that is it. I cannot imagine doing it again or joining the military and I really now do give massive big credits to people from the miliary and Special Forces, because that genuinely is the hardest thing in the world.
What did you do to celebrate?
I called my family, I had a shower, ate food and then slept! Who knew that these small, basic things could make you so happy! It really makes you appreciate life so much more and that in itself was a celebration!
Describe the jungle? At any point did you think the harsh jungle environment would beat you? What was the worst thing about the jungle?
The jungle was wet, dirty, noisy and dangerous. The animals/insects were real, which I hate! I did think on this last bit that the jungle would beat me and I feel that if this course was any longer I would probably not have made it. My feet, by the end, were the most painful! I think the worst thing about the jungle was the wetness and the humidity. This was what got to us the most.
Why did you decide to take part in SAS: Who Dares Wins?
I decided to take part after a few life situations I went through. I went on a self-development journey, to become the best version of myself and to not let my past experiences define me anymore. I saw SAS as something that would push me and connect me with my true self, by facing fears, finding limits and pushing through barriers.
What did you hope to get out of this experience?
I hoped to find a new, bigger and better me, in order to set new higher goals in life, pass wisdom on to people, and raise my daughter with the best set of values and wisdom I can pass onto her.
Did it meet your expectations? What was different? What was as expected? And why?
It over exceeded my expectations. I didn’t think it would affect me (in a good way) as much as it did. It is by far one of the toughest things I have ever done that has built me into a different person. I think what is different is actually experiencing these things in real life instead of just sitting comfortably at home watching it. It is so much more then you see. I was expecting it to be tough but not as tough as it was. I feel it hit all my senses physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally both high and low, which is what makes you find your true self and see what you’re really made off.
What did you learn about yourself from this experience?
I learnt to live in the moment. I was always the kind of person to plan things and know exactly what was happening. On the course, I never knew what was going to hit or when or where, which put me on edge a lot at the beginning, but afterwards I learnt to just let things happen, whilst still being calm and not procrastinate, overthink or be impatient. I also learnt that I am so so so capable of so many things, which I thought I wasn’t. From seeing the challenges at first and thinking “I don’t think I can do this” to just going for it, was a massive one for me. I underestimate myself so much, and this opened my eyes to bigger things.
Would you change anything about your time on the course?
No. Everything I lived was me being me, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Would you ever do it again?
Nope! It was an experience I feel I only needed once. It’s too tough. Just the thought of doing it again makes me feel nauseas!
Summarise your whole SAS: Who Dares Wins experience?
My whole experience is an unforgettable one. I went through so so many thoughts, emotions and feelings that I had not felt before but that were positive for me in the long run, even the tough times. I feel like just before going on the show I was nervous and sometimes self-doubting but I was very excited and ready to go. The first few days I was actually there I found it so tough, tough to adapt in general and all the challenges were already draining. I felt like giving up and felt that I would not make it further. Then I started enjoying it a little more and started getting into the wave of things.
But regardless of everything, there was always 1 thing, the mental thought of having to complete something, that mindset of mental toughness that was always there. And somehow I would get it done, and that was the beauty of the whole experience for me, that the mind is so powerful beyond what you expect.
~ Ends ~
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