Matt Hancock says starring in 'Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins' was one of the "toughest physical and mental things" he's ever done.
Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins fifth series cast
The 44-year-old former Health Secretary - who finished third on 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' - is one of 16 celebrities confirmed for the upcoming fifth series of the gruelling SAS selection show on Channel 4.
The stars, who also include singers Gareth Gates, 38, Michelle Heaton, 43, and Siva Kaneswaran, 34, will be pushed to their limits in the jungle in Thung Ui, North Vietnam, and Matt admitted the programme "opened [his] eyes".
He 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!”
Gareth added: "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!"
The unique SAS selection course is run by the elite team of ex-Special Forces operators - Chief Instructor, Billy Billingham MBE and his team of Directing Staff (DS), Foxy (Jason Fox), Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver.
TV personality Danielle Lloyd, 39, TV presenter Melinda Messenger, 51, ex-Premier League footballer Jermaine Pennant, 40, ex-Welsh rugby international Gareth Thomas, 48, comedian Zoe Lyons, 51, Actor, Kirsty-Leigh Porter, 34, British Olympian Perri Shakes-Drayton, 34, and Paralympic gold medallist Jon-Allan Butterworth, 37, are also part of the line-up.
Ex-Liverpool player Jermaine admitted the show was "brutal", and Melinda insisted it is tougher than it appears 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!"
Reality TV Stars James “Arg” Argent, 35, Montana Brown, 27, Teddy Soares, 28, Amber Turner, 29, complete this year's line-up.
Arg admitted the show pushed him to "breaking point".
He said: "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."
Chief Instructor Billy added: "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 ..."
'Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins' returns to Channel 4 on Tuesday 26 September at 9.30pm, and continues every Sunday at 9pm from 1 October.