SAS Australia Goes International: Aussie and British Celebs Face Off in Gruelling Desert Challenge
Get ready for an epic showdown as SAS Australia returns to our screens in 2026 with a brand-new, international twist. The Seven Network has officially confirmed the highly anticipated comeback of the intense military-style reality series, which took a hiatus after its 2023 season. This time, however, the stakes are higher than ever, with SAS: Australia v England set to pit a team of Australian celebrities against their British counterparts in the unforgiving landscapes of North Africa.
After a considerable wait, the full lineup of courageous celebrities ready to face the ultimate test has been unveiled, promising a thrilling mix of familiar faces from both sides of the globe.
The Lineup: Who’s Braving the Desert?
The network has revealed an impressive roster of Australian stars who will be put through their paces. Among them are Olympic gold medallists Mack Horton and Emily Seebohm, cricket legend Brad Hodge, and acclaimed stage and screen performer Natalie Bassingthwaighte. Fans of classic Australian television will also recognise Neighbours star Ryan Moloney, while reality TV personality Jessika Power and musician-turned-actor Axle Whitehead round out the Aussie contingent.
The official announcement from the Seven Network, shared on Instagram in collaboration with the show’s dedicated page, declared: “Listen up, recruits! SAS is returning to the screens of Seven in 2026. See you there.”
Adding to the international flavour, a teaser trailer has also introduced the British celebrities set to compete. This includes fan favourites from Love Island, Dani Dyer and Gabby Allen, alongside YouTuber Cole Anderson-James and former rugby union player Ben Cohen. They will be joined by social media sensation Jack Joseph, cricketer Graeme Swann, and Gladiator star Toby Olubi.
Leading the charge in pushing these recruits to their absolute limits will be the formidable Directing Staff. Chief instructor Billy Billingham is confirmed to return, ready to put the contestants through their paces alongside seasoned DS members Jason Fox, Rudy Reyes, and Chris Oliver.
What to Expect from SAS: Australia v England
The upcoming season promises an even more demanding experience, with seven Australian celebrities facing off against seven British celebrities in the harsh Moroccan desert. This region is renowned as one of the planet’s most challenging and hostile environments, providing a brutal backdrop for the series.
According to a statement released by the network, the Directing Staff will guide the recruits through “hostile and unforgiving warfare environments.” The program aims to rigorously test their mental fortitude and physical endurance through a series of intensely realistic training exercises designed to simulate the demanding regimen of the Special Air Service.
A press release from Channel 4 further highlighted the extreme nature of the challenge, stating, “Not everyone will have what it takes to make it to the end as bonds snap, egos shatter, and recruits are pushed so far past their limits they forget they ever had any.” Every exercise is meticulously crafted to mirror authentic SAS selection processes, ensuring an authentic and gruelling experience for all involved.
A New Era for SAS Australia: No Ant Middleton
In a significant development, Channel Seven has confirmed that Ant Middleton will not be part of the upcoming season of SAS Australia. This decision follows a period of upheaval for Middleton and his brother, Dan, who were notably removed from The Amazing Race Australia.
Reports from The Daily Telegraph indicated that the hosting duties for the upcoming international season would be handled by presenters familiar with the UK version of the show, SAS: Who Dares Wins. It is understood that this decision was made prior to the events that led to their departure from The Amazing Race Australia.
During the second episode of The Amazing Race Australia, host Beau Ryan confirmed that Ant and Dan Middleton were removed from the program due to a breach of the code of conduct. The incident involved an aggressive altercation between Dan Middleton and fellow contestants Luke and Scott O’Halloran. Although Ant Middleton was not directly involved in the physical confrontation, his participation was also terminated.
The former SAS Australia instructor previously shared his perspective on the situation with Yahoo! Lifestyle, expressing surprise at the circumstances. He stated, “It’s such a bizarre situation, as I haven’t been privy to any information, as I wasn’t present when a situation unfolded with my brother, and due to confidentiality, the only thing the production could tell me is that our team couldn’t continue due to a situation that unfolded with my brother.”
Middleton added, “I respect the production’s choice to keep the edit minimal with our participation to protect their brand. Strange situation, but one that’s completely out of my control and had nothing to do with [me]!”
Following the incident, cast member Brendan Fevola reportedly issued the show with an ultimatum. Further details regarding this situation and an exclusive interview with Luke and Scott O’Halloran about the events can be found elsewhere.
