Who’s on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins 2023?

As the new series launches fans are asking who is taking part in this year's show.

Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2023 cast
(Image credit: Channel 4)

Back with a brand new line up of famous faces keen to put themselves to the test both physically and mentally -  16 celebrity recruits have signed up and fans want to know who's on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins 2023?

The series features seven one-hour episodes as the 16 new celebrity recruits are faced with the most brutal Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins selection course yet in as Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is filmed in the brutal Vietnamese Jungle run by the elite team of ex-special forces operators from the UK and USA - Chief Instructor, Billy Billingham MBE and his team of Directing Staff (DS), Foxy (Jason Fox), Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver. 

Chief Instructor, Billy, explains, “SAS selection course follows the ethos of the regiment. Self-motivation, self-discipline. pursuit of excellence and the will to never give up. Our recruits will be pushed emotionally, physically and mentally beyond anything they have ever experienced. The standards will never drop but most of the recruits will!!! No concessions, No excuses !! Only results …”

Fox added, "To get through Special Forces selection, you need to be someone who is self-sufficient, robust and resilient. If the celebrities turn up with the wrong attitude thinking it's a fun boot camp, then we have no choice but to keep the pressure on until they stop acting like it’s a holiday. This course is like an awakening for celebrities…"

The DS don’t care how famous the recruits are, how many social media followers they have or what they have done before this. As soon as they enter the selection process, their celebrity status and luxuries are stripped away as we look at who is taking part...

Who's on Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2023?

Matt Hancock

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, 44, is fresh from the I'm A Celebrity Jungle and testing his endurance stills out on this show. In 2022, Matt Hancock's net worth was reportedly around £5 million and fans who wondered is Matt Hancock divorced will be hoping he lasts longer in the Vietnamese Jungle than he did in Australia.

Speaking about taking part, Matt said, "Being on SAS was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. It's one of the toughest physical and mental things I've ever done. It really opens your eyes and makes you look into yourself. After coming through the most challenging period as Health Secretary during the pandemic, I wanted to push my limits. It’s safe to say the course tested my resilience!”

Matt Hancock Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins cast

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Gareth Gates

The former Pop Idol contestant and winner Gareth Gates, 38, is pushing himself to the limit by signing up for the show.

Speaking about taking part, Gareth confessed, “WOW, this was an experience like no other. I learnt very quickly that there is a difference between being gym fit and battle fit. I was so looking forward to doing this show, to test myself, to see what courage, grit and determination I really had. I would encourage anyone who wants one of the ultimate, physical and mental challenges to give this a go.  It was an amazing, brutal, unique experience!”

Gareth Gates, Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Michelle Heaton

Former Liberty X Singer Michelle Heaton, 43, is a mum of two to daughter Faith, 10 and son AJ, eight, with husband Hugh Hanley. She swapped her family life for the jungle to step out of her comfort zone.

Michelle said, “I loved being on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins because it put me in situations that I would never put myself in normally. It got me to think outside the box. It got me uncomfortable. It’s only then you learn where your real limits are.”

Michelle Heaton Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2023 cast

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Siva Kaneswaran

Member of boyband The Wanted, Siva, 34, admits he's come out of the show a "new person".

He said, “If you dig being tortured for a few days and being dragged out your comfort zone, then this is the show for you! In a weird way, it was very fulfilling in the sense that you face your fears and you come out of it a new person, a new improved person.”

But does he have what it takes?

Siva Kaneswaran Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Danielle Lloyd

TV personality Danielle Lloyd, 39, is mum of five to sons Archie, 13, Harry, 12, George, nine and Ronnie, five, plus one-year-old daughter Autumn.

Speaking about her time on the show, Danielle said, “This experience was just life changing. It's made me positive and ready to take on the world.”

Danielle Lloyd Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2023 cast

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Melinda Messenger

TV Presenter Melinda Messenger, 51, has admitted taking part in the gruelling show is "harder than it looks on TV."

She said, "It was incredible, the most intensely physically challenging thing I've done. I would say it was surreal, but I'd also say it was way harder than it looks on TV!”

Melinda Messenger, Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins cast 2023

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Jermaine Pennant

 Speaking about why he signed up for the show, Ex-Premiere League footballer Jermaine Pennant, 40, said, “I wanted to push myself to my limits, but you underestimate how brutal it actually is until your body's going through it!”

Jermaine told his fans on Instagram, "t’s finally upon us, the wait is over celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins is coming Channel 4 IT WAS BRUTAL and a must watch!!!!!"

Gareth Thomas

Ex-Welsh Rugby International player Gareth, 48, will be trying his hardest to stay in the contest the longest. But will he survive? Gareth commented, “There's not many experiences that allow you the opportunity to look inside yourself and see what you're truly made of. I just knew I had to say yes to this so I could work out who I really am, and it totally lived up to my expectations.”

Gareth Thomas Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2023 cast

(Image credit: Channel 4)

James “Arg” Argent

After his incredible 13-stone weight-loss journey, former TOWIE star James 'Arg' Argent, wanted to put himself through his paces. But how well will he do?

He admitted, "It's the type of show that pushes you to breaking point and it's something I'll never forget. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

James 'Arg' Argent Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins cast 2023

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Montana Brown

Former Love Island star Montana Brown, 27, who gave birth to a little boy called Jude earlier this year with her fiancee Mark O'Connor took part in the show which was filmed before she was pregnant.

Looking back on how far she has come she shared, “You don’t get the opportunity to do something this hard in life so I couldn’t say no.  This was the hardest challenge I’ve ever experienced but I proved to myself that I’m actually quite tough and I can do anything I put my mind to.”

Montana Brown, Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins cast 2023

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Teddy Soares

The 28-year-old Love Island star worked as a senior financial consultant at the firm in Manchester before he starred on the reality dating show. He failed to find love with Faye but will he survive this commanding show.

Speaking about taking part, he said, “The whole experience was overwhelming, but for me, it was one of the experiences that I will never, ever be able to live down.”

Teddy Soares, Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins cast 2023

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Amber Turner

Former TOWIE star Amber Turner, 29, says Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was the "hardest thing" she's "ever done" in her life.

She added, "(It's) the most physically & emotionally demanding experience I’ve ever but the best experience all in one. I loved every moment of it (except having that bag over my head) and wouldn’t think twice about doing it again!”

Amber Turner Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2023 cast

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Zoe Lyons

Comedian Zoe Lyons, 51, hasn't lost her humour after taking part in the gruelling show. She joked, "It was the worst ‘all-inclusive break’ I’ve ever been on. There's a bit of me that feels incredibly fortunate that I got to participate in the show because it does test you, and there's quite a bit of fun to be had if you don't mind losing a few toenails!” 

EEEW! Too much information!

Zoe Lyons Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2023 cast

(Image credit: Getty)

Kirsty-Leigh Porter

The 34-year-old actress who has starred on Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, is one of the stars who had enthusiasm for taking part this year, she said, "Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins was absolutely brutal but the most AMAZING experience and dare I say it, one I wish I could do again!! And the DS are actual real-life superheroes – the strength they hold is unnatural. They are absolutely amazing!”

Kirsty-Leigh Porter, Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins cast 2023

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Perri Shakes-Drayton

Great British Olympian, Perri Shakes-Drayton, 34, is a retired track and field athlete. Speaking about Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins she said, "It was an incredible experience from start to finish.  There are so many words I can use to describe it. I loved every minute of it.”

Perri Shakes-Drayton, Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2023 cast

(Image credit: Channel 4)

Jon-Allan Butterworth MBE

Paralympic Gold Medalist, Jon-Allan Butterworth MBE reveals the reason why he wanted to take part.

He confessed, "My military career was cut short, so I wanted to see whether I have what it takes to survive in a world the DS think is normal.” But will he one of the golden boys?

Jon-Allan Butterworth MBE, Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2023 cast

(Image credit: Channel 4)

You can watch a preview of the show with this trailer below...

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is Channel 4 on Tuesday 26 September at 9.30pm and continues every Sunday at 9pm from 1 October.

For other Who Dares Wins news there's why did Ant Middleton leave Who Dares Wins? or how about another reality show that fans want to know where is First Dates filmed? or when is Celebrity Hunted on next?

Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)