SAS Australia 2021: Sam Burgess’ reality TV ‘redemption story’

The gruelling reality program was always “The Sam Burgess Show” from day one, with a “redemption story” in mind for the former NRL star, insiders reveal.

Sam Burgess was always going to take out SAS Australia. That’s the opinion of some fellow contestants and production staff who have told Sunday Confidential the gruelling contest was “The Sam Burgess Show” from day one.

One of the most telling instances was when producers shot the cast photographs early on when filming the popular Channel 7 series and asked the former NRL superstar Burgess to stand front row and centre.

Then just a few days into filming, some of his fellow contestants’ egos were bruised when it appeared Burgess was getting more airtime than others.

Sam Burgess in the finale episode of SAS Australia. Picture: Network 7

Feathers were also ruffled when it took 125kg Burgess 45 minutes to complete the hugely publicised wormhole challenge, meaning that other contestants including Pete Murray, Kerri Pottharst and Manu Feildel were unable to even attempt the challenge as producers had run out of time and light.

“I think they had the Sam Burgess redemption story narrative in their heads from day one,” one contestant said.

One of the challenges Burgess faced on SAS Australia. Picture: Network 7

There were also reportedly numerous occasions during shooting the show when multiple contestants asked to hand in their number, however Middleton refused to accept their withdrawal, proving that not everything viewers saw on screen was as it played out in real life.

Yet another challenge insiders claim was edited in Burgess’s favour was the final rope task, which saw the three remaining recruits, retired tennis star Mark Philippoussis, former Olympic runner John Steffensen and Burgess, forced to hang from a rope for 90 seconds before letting go and dropping below.

According to some on set, Burgess, who was battling a debilitating shoulder injury which forced him retire from the NRL, didn’t last as long as viewers were led to believe.

Channel 7 vehemently denies this is the case.

“They edited it to make it look as though he passed, but he didn’t,” one insider said.

Hell Week volunteer driven by abusive past

Her name was in the media in 2012 after she was charged then found not guilty of murdering her husband, now Lena Kasparian is set to make headlines again after signing on for SAS Australia Hell Week.

Lena Kasparian during Hell Week on SAS Australia.

The 42-year-old fashion designer and author admitted to stabbing Marc Zartarian at their home at Wetherill Park in southwest Sydney in 2011, but pleaded not guilty to murdering him on the grounds of self-defence.

After rebuilding her life the mother-of-two has signed on to the show to inspire other women.

“I want my children to be proud of me, to see their mum doing something completely out of my comfort zone,” Kasparian said.

“But most importantly I want to be able to inspire other women out there or anyone who has difficulty in any circumstance in life, whether it be domestic violence or any form of abuse, just to say never give up on themselves and to believe in themselves because a lot of people sort of lose sight of who they are and what they’re capable of because they’re either been neglected or abused and you know they lose self-esteem.

“So, I think me doing this is going to help a lot of people that have lost themselves and just encourage them to get out there and do the stuff that you are uncomfortable with because you might learn something from it and experience something extraordinary by challenging yourself and your limits.”