Three Women Make History On Celebrity SAS Finale

Fourteen celebrities from the UK and Australia signed up for what many call television’s most punishing challenge: Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. Over eight relentless days in Morocco, these famous faces—ranging from reality stars to Olympic athletes—faced a barrage of physical and psychological trials, all designed to mimic the infamous Special Forces selection process. But on January 26, 2026, the show made history with a finale that saw three women—Love Island’s Dani Dyer and Gabby Allen, and former Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm—emerge as the first ever all-female line-up of finalists, each passing the course after a brutal final test.

From the outset, the 2026 series was billed as a clash between UK and Aussie stars. According to NationalWorld, the original roster included household names like England rugby legend Ben Cohen, Olympic swimmer Mack Horton, and a host of reality TV personalities including Jessika Power and Jack Joseph. The desert heat of Morocco set the stage for a series of escalating challenges: simulated helicopter crashes into water, desert treks under the punishing sun, and war zone survival drills. As the days wore on, the group was whittled down by voluntary withdrawals, medical emergencies, and the sheer intensity of the tasks.

By the time the final episode rolled around, only five celebrities remained: Dani Dyer, Gabby Allen, Emily Seebohm, Ben Cohen, and Mack Horton. The ultimate test, as described by Daily Mail, was a condensed version of SAS training culminating in a harrowing interrogation phase. This wasn’t just about physical endurance—contestants were deprived of sleep, subjected to intense questioning, and forced to endure psychological stress, including holding painful stress positions and listening to distressing sounds. The tension was palpable as both Ben Cohen and Mack Horton tapped out, unable to withstand the relentless pressure, leaving the three women to face the final verdict.

Chief instructor Billy Billingham, a 60-year-old SAS veteran, delivered the news with characteristic gravity: “Eight days ago you came from both sides of the world. Fourteen arrived. Three stand before us. Just because you stand on the finish line doesn’t mean you’ve passed this course.” After a dramatic pause, he added, “It’s a rare moment to say—congratulations to all three of you. You’ve passed this course.” The announcement was met with tears and hugs; the trio’s relief and pride were unmistakable.

Dani Dyer, 29, was the first to voice her emotions, turning to her teammates and saying, “Well done, girls.” Reflecting on her journey, she confessed, “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. We are strong women. We go through so much as women, mentally and physically.”

Gabby Allen, 33, echoed the sense of empowerment, stating, “I can’t believe that out of fourteen people, it’s us. Well, I can—because we’re boss b***hes. 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. We were lifting the same weights, trying just as hard. I wouldn’t have wanted to be there at the end with anyone else. We built a bond you could never replicate. I wanted to leave knowing I’d given absolutely everything that I could, that I'd thrown myself into everything and made myself proud and my dad proud. That’s all that mattered to me.” She added, “Two girls from Love Island showing everyone what we can do.”

Emily Seebohm, also 33, opened up about her personal source of strength during the ordeal. “When we were un-bagged 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 [Ben and Mack] didn’t make it because they were so strong. 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 emotional highs and lows of the finale were underscored by the experiences of those who didn’t make it. Ben Cohen, 47, who is clinically deaf due to genetic hearing loss, was candid about the difficulties he faced. As reported by Daily Mail, he said, “I am tired. The interrogation is probably one of my biggest question marks. It’s wearing you down and making you feel vulnerable, triggering different mindsets, thoughts and testing them—the mental challenge of it, the mental toughness of it.” The interrogation phase, led by former SAS interrogator Ian Dilks, was particularly tough. Dilks didn’t pull any punches, telling Cohen, “I recognise your face. Didn’t you used to play rugby? Didn’t you win the World Cup? They say never meet your heroes because it’ll be disappointing. It’s quite sad really. You’re like an old man. So as a ‘husband-rugby player’, what are you doing here now?”

Throughout the series, family connections and emotional support shone through. In the penultimate episode, the five remaining celebrities received video calls from loved ones. Dani Dyer spoke to her husband, West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen, and their twin daughter. Overcome with emotion, she told them, “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life.” Bowen’s encouragement, “Go all the way, because you know you want it. You’ve got this far,” was a poignant reminder of what was at stake.

Physical challenges were no less daunting. Contestants ran uphill in 40°C heat, lugging 15kg backpacks that grew heavier with every added tyre and chain. Gabby Allen collapsed from exhaustion during one of these treks, while Dani Dyer admitted, “My body can’t take any more. I’m in so much pain.” Another challenge forced the group to navigate hostile terrain in search of a safe house, ending with both teams being captured and taken hostage—a fittingly dramatic lead-in to the final interrogation.

As the dust settles on this groundbreaking season, the significance of an all-female trio passing the course isn’t lost on viewers or participants. Instructor Jason Fox summed up the sentiment: “I love it when people pass the course. Sometimes I have to hold back the odd tear. I’m honoured to be part of their journey. When selection ends, you realise it’s character-building. It creates bonds that last.”

All episodes of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins Series 8 are available to stream on Channel 4, offering a front-row seat to a season that redefined resilience, camaraderie, and the unyielding strength of women under pressure.