SAS Australia: Roxy Jacenko disappointed Mark Billingham with early exit

Straight-talking SAS Australia instructor ‘Billy’ has revealed what he really thinks about publicist Roxy Jacenko quitting the reality series after six hours.

SAS Australia instructor Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham has let rip at publicist Roxy Jacenko.

The straight-talking Brit said he believes Jacenko could have made it much further in the reality series after she pulled out just six hours in to filming.

“I was very disappointed in Roxy,” Billingham told Confidential.

“I think she talked herself out of it from the time she turned up. I know she had an injury before and I know she had some issues prior to it but if I am being honest, she used that as an excuse.”

Roxy Jacenko.

Roxy Jacenko on SAS Australia.

Jacenko fractured her hip and pelvis six weeks before filming began in a horse riding accident.

“She was more than capable of doing a lot more than what she did, that is for sure,” Billingham said. “I don’t think she came in with the right mental attitude either, she was kind of stand-offish from the word go. She was not in the best of spirits, she was miserable for most of the time … for the six hours she was there. I was disappointed, she could have gone a lot further and done a lot better.”

Jacenko and fellow contestant, ironwoman Candice Warner, fell out because of the show after being forced to face-off in a boxing bout.

The fallout has continued weeks after the show with Warner finishing up with Jacenko’s management company officially as of next week.

SAS Australia’s Ollie Ollerton, Ant Middleton, Jason 'Foxy' Fox and Mark 'Billy' Billingham. Picture: Supplied

“That is just childish in my opinion,” he said. “Everybody went in together, everybody went in to get something out of it so I don’t think anybody should be taking it outside the program. Put it to bed and take what you got from it and be honest with yourself, that is what you have to do.”

Billingham had some tough words for actor Firass Dirani, who has claimed he copped a bad edit on the show.

“His attitude, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut,” he said. “He has been that used to everyone telling him he is a film star and he just couldn’t get his head around being told what to do and he wasn’t going to get his way one inch here.”

He added, saying actors can be “selfish, not really team players, thinking they are experts in everything”.

Roxy Jacenko on the reality show SAS Australia. Picture: Supplied

Billingham is a decorated former SAS soldier who served in the British military from 1983 until 1991. He subsequently went on to work as a personal bodyguard to Hollywood stars including Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Michael Caine, Jude Law and Tom Cruise.

He also worked with Russell Crowe around the release of his film, Cinderella man.

“They have all been pretty respectful,” he explained. “I kind of lay the law down pretty early when I first meet these people and say I am here to do this, this and this, let me do my job and I will make sure whatever you have to do, I will facilitate it. It has always worked.”

Roxy Jacenko on the reality show SAS Australia. Picture: Supplied

He continued: “Their priorities are different to ours. Our every day thing was trying to stay alive and keep people alive. Theirs was protecting their image so it was a bit weird initially trying to understand why they got so upset about someone taking a picture of them. You have to adapt to that and you have to realise that a lot of people blow smoke up these people’s arses and they do feel like they are in an invincible position.

Originally published as SAS Australia: Roxy Jacenko disappointed Mark Billingham with early exit