The line-up for the 2026 series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins has officially been confirmed, with Dani Dyer among those leading the cast.
When celebrities choose to take part in the Channel 4 programme, they find out very quickly that they’re not going to have it all their own way.
They’re barked and shouted at relentlessly by special forces experts, and they also take part in grueling military-grade training drills, and all on national TV.
The civilian series began in 2015 while the celebrity version started four years later – the celebrity version has become a huge success in its own right, with the eighth edition returning to Channel 4 in January.
Last year, three famous faces – ex-footballer Troy Deeney, media personality Michaella McCollum, and X Factor star Lucy Spraggan – all passed the test.
Here’s the lowdown on the cast for 2026 as the launch of the new Celebrity: SAS Who Dares Wins season approaches, with a brand new twist.
Cole Anderson-James
Cole Anderson-James is a 28-year-old British YouTube star, social media personality, and actor, who rose to fame for his impressions of Ricky Gervais.
Those impressions got Ricky’s attention, and Ricky cast him in an episode of his show After Life – previously, Cole had starred in The Emily Atack Show in 2020.
He says of the contest: ‘I really wanted to take part in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins for a change, for a bit of fun and to experience new things.’
Toby Olubi
Toby Olubi is a 38-year-old British sprinter and bobsledder. He has competed for Great Britain at the Winter Olympics, and is better known as Phantom in Gladiators.
Talking about why he signed up for the show, he said: ‘I wanted to come on this course to show different dynamics of manhood – that you can be vulnerable and still powerful.’
He added: ‘I also wanted to use this opportunity to test my mettle, to learn from the experience and to come home with something more to offer to others!’
Jack Joseph
TikTok and YouTube star Jack Joseph is the third recruit, and he’s worried that his family might not be so supportive if he doesn’t give his all to Celebrity SAS.
‘I think this is probably going be the toughest week of my life. My dad was actually in the military, so he will not be happy if I make excuses or I moan or I don’t try a hundred percent.
‘I didn’t think being in the military was ever an option for me – I am scared of everything – flying, confrontation, large crowds, claustrophobia, bugs, insects, spiders.’
He continued: I’m hoping that I can overcome those fears. I need a big challenge. If I manage to get through this, I think it would help a lot.’
Dani Dyer
Dani Dyer signed up for Strictly Come Dancing but had to withdraw after the launch show following a devastating injury – thankfully, she had already recorded her experience on Celebrity SAS.
She says: ‘I’m a massive fan of the show. I’ve always watched it and wondered if I could do it. I want to put myself to the test. I’m nuts, but I think I will be good at it.
‘I’ll be completely out of my comfort zone. I just hope that I will be able to stop listening to the voices in my head and just get to the end because that would make me so proud.’
She added: ‘I think physically I’ve got this. Mentally is what I’ll struggle with as my brain attacks me all the bloody time. I just want to believe in myself a little bit more and stop being a negative Nancy.’
Gabby Allen
TV personality and internet star Gabby Allen is the fifth recruit for 2026, having previously competed on Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother.
Gabby says: ‘As a lot of people know me from being on Love Island, I think viewers are going to be really surprised when they see me on the course – I’m extremely determined and I don’t give up easily.
‘Fitness is a huge part of my life with it being my job and working with hundreds of women daily helping them find joy in their health and wellness journey.’
She added: ‘I wanted to test my mental strength and challenge myself in a way I haven’t before and SAS certainly did that.’
Graeme Swann
The sixth recruit is former England cricketer Graeme Swann, which is appropriate because it looks like Britain and Australia are going to be facing off against each other this series.
Spin-bowler Graeme played in four Ashes series for England, winning three of them, with one of those three victories coming on Aussie soil across Christmas 2010 and New Year 2011.
He said: ‘I wanted to take part in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, mostly to step out of my comfort zone and see how hard I could push myself.
‘But also, I wanted my kids to see that even the hardest tasks can be achieved if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other.’
Ben Cohen
Ben Cohen is no stranger to tough conditions and physical feats, having played professional rugby union for 15 years, representing England 57 times.
The now 47-year-old winger was part of the legendary 2003 World Cup winning team for England, beating Australia in the final, and was also successful at club level, playing for Northampton, Brive, and Sale Sharks.
He says: ‘I wanted to take part to rediscover parts of myself but also to be tested mentally. We live with ourselves every day, so I wanted to test myself mentally and physically to try something really tough that would challenge my strength.
It’ll be a good lesson for me. Facing the Aussies is going be very interesting. They might want to get the record straight, after 22 years of hurt.’
Jessika Power
First up for the Australians is 33-year-old reality TV contestant, OnlyFans model, and media personality Jessika Power.
She’s known Down Under for competing on their versions of Big Brother and Married at First Sight.
Jessika says: ‘I chose to do Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins because I wanted to show a side of myself the public rarely gets to see — the vulnerable, determined, resilient version of me.
‘I’ve been through a lot in my personal life and this was a chance to confront those challenges head-on. I came into the experience hoping to learn more about who I am and wanting to walk out proud of myself.
She added: ‘[I want to show] a deeper sense of confidence, discipline and purpose. I want to prove to the public that I’m not a reality b****h.’
Brad Hodge
Facing up against Graeme Swann is Australian former cricketer Brad Hodge, who represented his country for nine years in many forms of the sport.
He most notably won the Cricket World Cup in 2007, alongside legends such as Ricky Ponting, Mitchell Johnson, Adam Gilchrist, and Glenn McGrath.
Brad says: ‘Taking part in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was important for me so I could challenge myself physically and mentally in a different elite world that I am not accustomed to.’
Emily Seebohm
Next up for Team Australia is retired Aussie swimmer Emily Seebohm, who’s the proud owner of seven Olympic medals, including three golds – she won a gold and two silvers during London 2012.
She says: ‘After being an Olympian for so long and missing the challenge of what it takes to get to the top level, with a toddler, I realise that if don’t do it now, I’ll never do it!’
Axle Whitehead
Axle Whitehead is a singer, musician, and actor. British TV viewers may recognise Axle from Home and Away and from the American remake of Shameless.
The 44-year-old had a big hit in Australia with the song I Don’t Do Surprises, which reached the top 10 in that country in 2008.
Axle says: ‘Growing up and working on our family farm, often in harsh conditions, taught me real physical and mental resilience.
‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins terrified me, but I wanted to see whether I had the mettle to carry me through the toughest test on TV.’
Ryan Moloney
46-year-old Australian actor Ryan Moloney is the 12th recruit. British viewers will no doubt know him as Jarrod from Neighbours, whom he played for 30 years.
‘I chose to join the Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins course because after everything that I’ve gone through I want to grab this and tear the balls off it.
‘It’s a huge challenge and a once in a lifetime opportunity. I didn’t know what I wanted to get out of it but I knew if I gave it everything that I’d find out.’
Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Singer, actress, and TV personality Natalie Bassingthaighte is next up for Team Australia, with the 50-year-old Neighbours star ready to embrace ‘new challenges’.
As well as playing Izzy on Neighbours, on and off, for 19 years, she was also the singer on Rogue Traders’ song Voodoo Child, which reached number 3 in the UK charts in 2006.
Natalie says: ‘Turning 50 for me meant embracing new challenges. Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was my opportunity to push my boundaries, test my limits, and prove that adventure truly knows no age!’
Mack Horton
Last up is recruit number 14, Mack Horton – the Australian former swimmerwho’s the proud owner of two Olympic medals, including a gold from Rio 2016.
He also has six medals from competing in the Commonwealth Games.
Mack says: ‘Leaving professional sport hasn’t meant losing that internal drive. I’ve been actively seeking challenges that force me to stretch, evolve and tap back into that competitive instinct.
‘The SAS training challenge stood out because there are very few environments as physically and mentally demanding.’
He added: ‘Their ability to train for any scenario, any environment, fascinated me — and the appeal of walking into something where the unknown is part of the experience was impossible to ignore.’
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins returns to Channel 4 in January.
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