Celebrity SAS chaos as two stars walk out during first episode

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Celebrity SAS chaos as two stars walk out during first episode
Two celebrities were seen exiting the Channel 4 series Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, despite the show only just beginning
Hannah Spearritt quit Celebrity SAS
(Image: Channel 4)
Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins was plunged into turmoil on Sunday (3 August) as a pair of celebrities withdrew during the opening episode.
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The Channel 4 military challenge programme made its return on Sunday night, though proceedings didn't unfold as anticipated.
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Fourteen famous participants, featuring Love Island personalities Chloe Burrows and Tasha Ghouri, alongside X Factor veteran Lucy Spraggan and footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa among others, faced gruelling tests under the watchful eyes of Mark 'Billy' Billingham, Jason 'Foxy' Fox, Rudy Reyes, and Chris Oliver.
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An early challenge transported the recruits to a derelict facility for what was branded the 'most perilous' hostage extraction exercise they would encounter.
Former S Club 7 member Hannah Spearritt, 44, who later pursued acting with appearances in programmes including Primeval and EastEnders, was visibly finding the experience overwhelming, reports the Mirror.
Moments afterwards, it emerged that the Reach vocalist had become the inaugural departure from the programme, with fellow contestants suggesting she may have experienced a panic episode.
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Two stars walked off Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins during the first episode on Sunday night
(Image: PA)
Nevertheless, in a pre-recorded interview shown shortly before, Hannah revealed: "I am pretty determined. I wouldn't say I give up easily but whether I get to the end or not...I don't think I'll go on the first day because I just wouldn't forgive myself."
She subsequently informed the directing staff: "Sorry - I'm done. Sorry. I've reached a point."
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She wasn't alone in struggling early on, as dancer Louie Spence also made a dramatic exit when the demanding scenes became too much.
Speaking beforehand, Louie had said: "If there was a world war and they decided they were gonna call everyone up, would I be the first to jump up and say 'Yes me?' Being surrounded my thousands of soldiers, I might just jump at it. I'd be the home guard like on Dad's Army. We'll have a gay Dad's Army. Honestly, they wouldn't wanna mess with the gays!"
Yet despite his bravado, moments afterwards Chris Fox branded the group's performance as "abysmal" following their most recent challenge. He urged the recruits to remember their purpose for being there and advised them to approach things "seriously".
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Louie interjected: "I wanna do an immediate withdrawal. I just don't have the conviction and I feel as though I'm not dedicated enough," he declared whilst removing his armband. Chris offered him the opportunity to replace his armband, but Louie declined, prompting Chris to respond: "Get your kit."
Louie Spence also walked off the programme in the first episode
(Image: Channel 4)
In a pre-recorded interview, the 56 year old Louie had stated: "I'm a survivor, I would keep battling to survive. I think the worst way for me to leave the course would be to choose to leave. That would really p*** me off," yet moments later, it was confirmed he had indeed departed the programme.
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Before his abrupt departure, Louie was full of admiration for the programme's directing staff, stating: "I actually looked at them and thought, 'oh, my God', because what they do and what they've done is incredible. I could never do that for real.
"Do you know what I mean? They are a different breed, like doctors and surgeons and things like that. So I did look at them in that sense and think that what they really did in their day job was incredible."
When questioned about what he found most challenging, he confessed: "Definitely the physical side of the course.
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"Even though I've struggled with my anxiety and depression, mentally I was in a really strong, good place. It wasn't about an individual which they made very clear at the beginning, it was about the group. I love being a group player, I love being with people. But in that scenario, in the reality of it when I was there, I didn't think I was capable of being a group player."
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins continues on Channel 4 at 9pm