What did you miss?
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’ tough coaches have revealed the “disappointing” real reason they believe John Barrowman has quit the soap – and it’s very different to the explanation the Torchwood star offered.
Barrowman left after just 32 minutes, vomiting in the first episode and later telling Lorraine: “I was saying to myself, ‘I know who I am, I know who John Barrowman is. I made a mistake here’.”
However, in a statement to This Morning, the directing team admitted that they believed the actor had actually been delayed because he saw a lack of “creature comforts” on the base camp trip, and that it was disappointing for them as he “had a place” in the film. a process they carefully designed.
What, how and why?
John Barrowman has left Celebrity SAS in record time, claiming he quit the Channel 4 soap after just 32 minutes because he didn’t need to do any more work to find out who he really was.
But the show’s co-directors Chris Oliver, Jason “Foxy” Fox and Rudy Reyes told This Morning a very different story ahead of Monday’s series finale, claiming they were shocked to discover there was no green room for downtime.
The former Special Forces officers said it was very disappointing for them as Barrowman took up space on the course and spent time huddled together to ensure the celebrities could make the most of the experience.
Read more: The famous SAS
Explaining that celebrities need a “reason” to get through the difficult times during the grueling process inspired by the selection of the Special Forces, Foxy said, “The reason depends entirely on that person. But it has to be strong, it has to be unbreakable because it has to last throughout the course.” If there’s a crack in that, they’ll look for an excuse to leave.”
Talking about trying to take away the reasons why celebrities appear on the show, he added: “That’s part of the appeal for us. We enjoy it. I enjoy showing people that they’re stronger than they think they are.”
But when asked if Barrowman would leave, Oliver didn’t hold back, saying: “You think people know what the show is about. But when you throw that uncertainty into the equation… it became clear that his motive wasn’t strong enough.”
“He did the first assignment and we thought that was it, normally it’s a process and people just take it as it comes. But we got to the base and we did a practice session, then me and Foxy take them around and show them. I think that’s where they’ll stay for the duration of the course, they’re probably used to it.” When he realizes that there is no green room with the creature comforts he has…”
Foxy added: “I think people really believe it’s a green room and free time. I don’t think people realize the intensity of what’s really going on.”
Oliver also said Barrowman’s armband twirling — something recruits are required to do when leaving — also had an impact on the staff. He explained: “It’s disappointing for us because we run the course. Even though it’s a TV show and it’s great, we’re passionate about the course.
“He got a spot there and we spent time testing to get this track ready and we want to pass on our experience to them so they can grow and we were very disappointed when he brought (the armband) back.”
Elsewhere, SAS staff talked about the SAS final on This Morning. Anthony Ogogo, Bianca Gascoigne, Georgia Harrison and Lani Daniels are still in the final and viewers will see if any of them make it through the course.
Speaking of their chances, Foxy said: “If they’re all good enough to complete the course, they’ll all complete it, but it’s really up to them.”
He added: “It’s another fish pot. So people who get to this stage are used to us yelling, screaming, putting them through the mixer, testing them physically but it’s all mental. It’s a completely different thing.”
Reyes said of so many women making it to the finals: “That’s what surprised me the most about this show. In my experience, we don’t have women in the Special Forces community, and I realize women are much stronger and much more capable than they are. A lot of people know that there’s a lot of physical They don’t have the strength, so they don’t rely on muscles or typical things to get you through, they’re really mentally tough.”
She added: “There are some very special women who have what it takes to do a tough job. Women can reach places men can’t. They can definitely be an asset.”
What did John Barrowman say about leaving Celebrity SAS?
The morning after Barrowman exited episode one of this year’s series, he called Lorraine for a video interview and explained his reasons for staying the course.
She said she signed up for the show: “The idea behind it was that I thought it would give you a chance to tell the story and also that the show itself would help people come to terms with the things they were struggling with and going through. So I did it, I thought let me give it a try, see what happens and also I like a challenge.”
He added: “Even when I was being interviewed, I looked at myself and still saw that angry person, still that person who was sad, still that person who was in a bad situation.
“But as I continued to live that first day, they were telling me things like, ‘You don’t know who you are, you’ve got to find out who you are, you’ve got to find out who the real person is.’ Everything they said to support you made me say to myself, ‘I know who I am, I know who John Barrowman is.’ ‘ and that’s where we were. Then when that light bulb went off, I started to get sick, I realized I’m in a situation here, I know who John Barrowman is, I’m starting to get sick, I need to make a conscious decision here.
“That was it, I just said I was out because I didn’t think I could do it if I got sick.”
Watch: John Barrowman explains why he left Celebrity SAS after just 32 minutes
But Barrowman added that he had no regrets: “I feel really good about it and the show did exactly what it needed to do, it made me realize who I am. The thing is, John Barrowman has always been about helping other people accept who they are – revealing them.” help them come out, deal with their full sexuality, deal with their bisexuality, or be transgender – so I’ve always helped people deal with that in the past.
“For me, making that decision and thinking about it now, it was the best decision I’ve ever made and it was the best decision to do the show, because the show did exactly what it needed to do for me but in such a short amount of time. I don’t regret what I did, I don’t regret going on the show.” .”
He revealed show bosses tried to get him to stay: “They tried to talk me out of it, they tried to keep me in and I understand why but in my head I had made that decision and I knew I was going to do it. “I know who John Barrowman is, no matter what the trolls say I know my mum loves me, my dad “He loves me, my family loves me, my friends love me, and that’s the most important thing.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10pm on ITV1.