SAS Who Dares Wins' Mark Billingham warns of 'sensory overload'

Mark 'Billy' Billingham says the new recruits on 'SAS: Who Dares Wins – Jungle Hell' will face a "total sensory overload" on the series and be left "drained" by the extreme heat and humidity.

The military veteran has told how the contestants will find the Vietnam jungle-based show "incredibly intimidating".

The 57-year-old veteran - who has been bumped up to chief instructor due to his experience in similar circumstances - said: "The jungle is a total sensory overload and we’re taking the recruits into ‘Jungle Hell’ this series. It doesn't matter how often you have heard about it in war stories or seen it in TV programmes or films - there is nothing like experiencing it.

"Visually, it's incredibly intimidating, because everything looks the same. The smells are unlike anything you have ever known. The sensations of extreme heat and humidity are draining. The noise from the trees and creatures is often deafening, leaving little space to find tranquillity in your mind.”

Billy - who leads the other directing staff, including new addition Chris Oliver, 40 and Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox, 46, - advised all the new 20 recruits to “give 100 per cent” while appearing on the show.

He said: "Each recruit will have to give 100 per cent all the time. The recruits will be challenged on their capability and pushed a little further! They must be prepared to go physically, emotionally,and mentally beyond any place they have ever been."

Billy will train 20 civilians, who include Amelia, a 28-year-old software executive, who is keen to “rewrite her negative inner dialogue” about her personal capabilities.

She will be joined by Grant, a 37-year-old refuse worker, and Joshua, a 24-year-old pro boxer, who decided to take part because he longs to see his reaction to “extreme conditions”, while Hilary, a 31-year-old personal trainer, wanted to fight her fear of “vulnerable situations”.

Becky, a 35-year-old hairdresser, opted to apply after the tragic death of her two-year-old daughter.

She said: “I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it and start something and have a determination.”

They competed alongside Steve, a 38-year-old pro wrestler, Faye, a 43-year-old academic, Rosie, a 22-year-old cyber sales account manager, Daniel, a 29-year-old ballet dancer, and Danica, a 36-year-old health and wellness coach.

The line up of the Channel 4 series - which is made up of six one-hour episodes starting on Monday (23.01.23) - also includes Zac, a 27-year-old chef, Aliyah, a 26-year-old influencer, Pete, a 33-year-old firefighter, Ross, a 41-year-old security manager, Scott, a 35-year-old hedge fund manager and Jordan, a 28-year-old pro boxer.

It is concluded by Jamie, a 32-year-old model and footballer, Levi, a 34-year-old HGV lorry driver, Anne, a 41-year-old horse riding coach and Charlotte, a 27-year-old performance and lifestyle nutritionist.

'SAS: Who Dares Wins – Jungle Hell' airs Mondays at 9pm on Channel 4 from January 23, 2023.