Dani Dyer Gabby Allen And Emily Seebohm Triumph In Celebrity SAS Finale

It was an emotional, grueling, and ultimately triumphant night for three women who defied the odds and their own expectations in the finale of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins on Channel 4. On January 26, 2026, Dani Dyer-Bowen, Gabby Allen, and Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm emerged as the sole survivors of a punishing Special Forces selection course, making history as an all-female trio of winners in a series renowned for pushing its celebrity contestants to their absolute limits.

This year’s series, filmed in the harsh terrains of North Africa, began with 14 celebrities from both the UK and Australia. Over eight relentless days, they were subjected to a barrage of physical and psychological challenges, many of which would make even the toughest shudder. The contestants faced everything from mountainous climbs with heavy chains and tyres to the infamous stress positions and deprivation that Special Forces candidates endure in real life. As reported by BBC, the show’s format is designed to strip away any veneer of celebrity, exposing raw determination and vulnerability.

The finale was a true test of endurance and mental strength. The last five standing—Dani, Gabby, Emily, Mack Horton, and Ben Cohen—were thrust into a simulated hostage situation, complete with hours of interrogation, blindfolded detention, and a cacophony of disturbing noises. The ordeal included eight hours of noise torture, with contestants subjected to incessant baby cries, bizarre animal sounds, and the grinding scrape of metal on metal. As Gabby Allen told Cosmopolitan UK, “The problem with the noise torture is that you just don’t know when it’s going to end. We did it for eight hours, and in the actual Special Forces, they do it for 36 hours.”

For Gabby, the physical pain was compounded by her scoliosis: “The lying-on-the-back position, because I have rods in my back, for so long was hard and you just don’t know when it’s going to end. So I think that probably just took its toll on the guys.” Indeed, both Mack Horton and Ben Cohen withdrew during this phase, unable to continue through the relentless barrage. That left the three women—Dani, Gabby, and Emily—to face the final assessment.

Chief instructor Billy Billingham delivered the verdict with his trademark mix of sternness and respect: “Just because you stand on the finish line doesn’t mean you’ve passed this course. You chose to come into our arena… It’s a rare moment to say congratulations to all three of you, you’ve passed this course.” The announcement triggered a wave of emotion among the finalists, who shared a tearful embrace. Dani Dyer-Bowen, at 29, was visibly moved, telling her fellow recruits, “We did it girls.” Later, reflecting on her journey, she admitted, “Every single moment was horrendous. But to hear that I’d passed—it’s the best feeling in the world. If I can do this, I can do anything. I definitely am a lot stronger than what I think I am… I can’t believe I’ve actually been able to do it. I’m really proud of myself.”

Gabby Allen echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of an all-female final: “I’m just so proud of us. Women are so resilient with everything that we do. We go through so much, so I think we already have it built into us to just keep pushing that bit further.” She added, “Standing there with two women at the end meant everything to me. My whole brand is about empowering women from every walk of life. Men are strong, but women show time and time again that we can do just as much.”

Emily Seebohm, an Olympic champion used to high-pressure situations, admitted she initially feared the worst when she realized only women remained. “When we were unbagged and it was just the three of us standing there, I thought we’d been picked out as the weak ones… I couldn’t have been prouder of the girls. We spent the whole time lifting each other up and reminding ourselves how strong we were. I wasn’t surprised it was the three women, but I was surprised the two guys didn’t make it because they were so strong.” For Emily, motivation came from a deeply personal place: “Every time I struggled, I pictured my son in his dinosaur pyjamas. I could see him so clearly, and it gave me strength. When we were climbing the mountain with chains and tyres, I could see him the whole time in my head. I wasn’t struggling at all. It was pure mind over matter.”

The show’s psychological impact lingered long after the cameras stopped rolling. Gabby described the difficulty of returning to normal life: “We hadn’t slept for over a day. It was 36 hours, the whole task altogether. So by the time I actually went to sleep, it’d probably been two full days. The interrogators messaged me afterwards saying, ‘You did so well,’ and it took me a good week or so to actually open those messages, because to remove myself out of that reality back into normal life was quite different. You’re still on edge, you’re still expecting to be called out at any moment. You think that you would sleep really well when you come out, but actually, your cortisol levels are still through the roof.”

The series, now available to stream on Channel 4, has not only showcased the physical and mental fortitude of its contestants but also their camaraderie and humor. Gabby recalled, “In the camp we were always laughing. We had Cole and Jack in there who were just hilarious, absolute idiots. Graham Swann is hilarious, Ben really had some funny moments… There’s certain moments where I was like, ‘Oh my God, I smashed that one!’ and they didn’t show it.”

Other notable participants in this year’s series included TV personality Jessika Power, social media stars Jack Joseph and Cole Anderson-James, Olympian Toby Olubi, Neighbours actors Ryan Moloney and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, international cricketers Graeme Swann and Brad Hodge, and Home And Away actor and musician Axle Whitehead. Each brought their own story and struggles, but it was the bond among the final three women that ultimately defined the season.

For Dani, Gabby, and Emily, the victory is more than just a title—it’s a testament to resilience, solidarity, and the power of pushing through when every muscle and emotion screams to quit. Their journey on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins stands as a stirring reminder that sometimes, the strongest force isn’t just physical power, but the will to keep going together—no matter how horrendous the moment.