Channel 4 keeps celeb version of huge show just days after axing civilian version
AFTER ditching the civilian version of SAS Who Dares Wins, Channel 4 is using some of the money to boost this year’s celebrity version.
I understand they’ve got themselves a war chest to sign up some big names for the show, and in a further shake-up filming will be moved from Thailand to the wilds of New Zealand.
Although it will be made this summer, it’s winter in the Antipodes so the weather will ensure the participants have a suitably gruelling experience.
In a statement, Channel 4 confirmed the new Celeb SAS WDW would take place in: “A new extraordinary location.”
A TV insider said: “With the axe falling on the civilian version of SAS, Channel 4 wanted to reaffirm its commitment to the celebrity version.
“So they’re sparing little expense to make it a bumper offering, including extending the series, which started with just five episodes in 2019, to eight.
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“It just remains to be seen which famous faces sign up for the show.”
The move to New Zealand might irk the show’s controversial former chief instructor, Ant Middleton who left SAS WDW two years ago due to his “personal conduct".
Since his departure, he’s carved out a new TV career Down Under, so might be annoyed at the celeb spin-off turning up “on his doorstep”.
C4 recently confirmed my story that they were axing SAS Who Dares Wins after eight series.
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It came amid rumours the broadcaster was reviewing its long-running shows, which they denied.
The celeb version of SAS WDW was launched in 2019, four years after the original show.
It has now gained a bigger audience leading Channel 4 to ditch the civilian version.
A spokeswoman said: “Due to the huge success of Celebrity SAS we have shifted our focus to prioritise this strand.”
Well, at least they’ve put their money where their mouth is . . .
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