Celebrity SAS fans revel in brutal boxing challenge as ‘teary’ Matt Hancock is battered by Jermaine Pennant
CELEBRITY SAS fans enjoyed the first episode of the new series, revelling in the brutal boxing challenge between Jermaine Pennant and Matt Hancock, who was left teary-eyed.
Some viewers even went so far as to say they “wished” they were the former footballer as he gave the former health secretary a spectacular beat down in tonight’s episode.
A new season of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins kicked off tonight, with the Channel 4 show welcoming 16 new contestants including former health secretary Matt Hancock, actor Kirsty-Leigh Porter, ex-footballer Jermaine Pennant, rugby legend Gareth Thomas, TV presenter Danielle Lloyd, comedian Zoe Lyons, and pop star Michelle Heaton.
Matt, 44, came onto the show with a strong sense of confidence which the directing staff (DS) initially thought was promising.
But as the DS promised, the show pushes the contestants to their limits in ways that are “their worst nightmare.”
Matt was pushed to tears during the first episode of the series as he was teamed up for a boxing challenge with 40-year-old Jermaine.
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It wasn’t long before Jermaine brought his opponent to the ground, and some fans were revelling in the fight while the DS branded him a “f***king fail.”
“Watching Matt Hancock getting punched on celebrity SAS who dares wins is a thing of joy,” one SAS fan said on social media.
“Celebrity SAS...how satisfying to watch Matt Hancock being brought down to earth!” added another.
While a third commented: “Watching Hancock get pummelled is great TV.”
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“5 million people just wishing they were Jermaine Pennant!!!!!” added a fourth.
Another viewer thought Matt was looking a bit teary-eyed after his beating, though suggested it was just for show.
“Oh Jesus Christ, here we go. Cry for the cameras Matt Hancock. Get those PR tears flowing,” the posted.
Matt’s failure in the boxing challenge came after a “catastrophic fail” on the Trainasium exercise just minutes into the episode.
One of the show’s DS branded him a “complete and utter buffoon” for his Cirque du Soleil-style dismount from the aerial exercise.
Afterward, the former politician’s resolve faltered, and he admitted he’d let himself down.
He admitted things did go as well as he hoped.
“I let myself down a couple of times,” he said. “I made a definite t** out of myself.”
The episode also pushed some of the other recruits to their limits too, with pop star Michelle Heaton breaking down in tears almost immediately.
“I get a kick out of being scared. I just know I’m going to love it,” she’d said in the confessional style interviews minutes earlier.
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But after laughing out of turn, the DS read her the riot act and Michelle was left in tears, concerned that she’s made them hate her already.
Celebrity SAS continues on Channel 4 on Sunday at 9pm.