AFTER ditching the civilian version of SAS Who Dares Wins, Channel 4 is using some of the money to boost this year’s celebrity version.
I understand they’ve got themselves a war chest to sign up some big names for the show, and in a further shake-up filming will be moved from Thailand to the wilds of New Zealand.
Although it will be made this summer, it’s winter in the Antipodes so the weather will ensure the participants have a suitably gruelling experience.
In a statement, Channel 4 confirmed the new Celeb SAS WDW would take place in: “A new extraordinary location.”
A TV insider said: “With the axe falling on the civilian version of SAS, Channel 4 wanted to reaffirm its commitment to the celebrity version.
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“So they’re sparing little expense to make it a bumper offering, including extending the series, which started with just five episodes in 2019, to eight.
“It just remains to be seen which famous faces sign up for the show.”
The move to New Zealand might irk the show’s controversial former chief instructor, Ant Middleton who left SAS WDW two years ago due to his “personal conduct".
Since his departure, he’s carved out a new TV career Down Under, so might be annoyed at the celeb spin-off turning up “on his doorstep”.
C4 recently confirmed my story that they were axing SAS Who Dares Wins after eight series.
It came amid rumours the broadcaster was reviewing its long-running shows, which they denied.
The celeb version of SAS WDW was launched in 2019, four years after the original show.
It has now gained a bigger audience leading Channel 4 to ditch the civilian version.
A spokeswoman said: “Due to the huge success of Celebrity SAS we have shifted our focus to prioritise this strand.”
Well, at least they’ve put their money where their mouth is . . .
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TV has commissioned a documentary looking into the closure of England’s only NHS service for trans children.
The Clinic will tell the story of the controversial Tavistock Centre’s Gender Identity Development Service in London, which was ordered to close after being branded “unsafe."
ANNA TO WEIGH IN ON JABS
ANNA RICHARDSON is set to present a new Channel 4 show on the celeb-fuelled slimming injection craze.
The Naked Attraction host will take a deep dive into new drug semaglutide – also known under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic – which help users shed excess fat.
It is now being seen as a gamechanger in the fight against obesity – and is approved by the NHS.
But before the drugs hit high street chemists, Anna will look into the risks behind the injections, which have been a hit with celebrities.
Anna said: “ The hype around the drugs, added to by celeb endorsement, will lead to improper use in those who do not need it.
This doc will be the first to uncover the myths and facts behind this ‘magic bullet'.
NIALL HORAN is back on track in YouTube series Trainspotting With Francis Bourgeois.
The singer performs his hit Heaven aboard a vintage locomotive.
In the episode Niall reveals a link to trains, saying: “My grandad was a train driver.
"He drove one in the old movie The Great Train Robbery.”
DAN DOES THE LEG WORK
DANNII MINOGUE put on a leggy display as she filmed the I Kissed A Boy reunion last week.
The singer presented the sparkling ninth episode as the contestants reunited to discuss the behind-the-scenes drama since the BBC Three dating show ended.
Dannii opted for a corset- inspired gown with cut-out detail at her waist to accentuate her figure as she told fans she was in her “Sunday best”.
Later this year, Dannii will film I Kissed A Girl, the second series of her same-sex dating show, dedicated to lesbians.
She will again play Cupid over the eight episodes of the show which producers promise will “serve drama, smash stereotypes, and promise more twists and turns than ever”.
