SAS Australia’s new recruits in ‘epic’ clash as TV ratings war heats up

As the TV ratings war continues to heat up, insiders reveal the latest season of SAS Australia will showcase scandal after scandal — with a showdown or two between contenstants thrown in.

The ratings battle between reality heavyweights Married At First Sight, SAS Australia and Australian Survivor will step up at the end of the month, with an air date finally confirmed for Seven’s SAS.

While MAFS has been the top-rating entertainment show every night since its launch last week, Seven has high hopes for SAS Australia, which will hit screens on Monday, February 21, following the Winter Olympics.

According to insiders, the program will showcase scandal after scandal, with Fat Pizza’s Pauly Fenech said to be the biggest instigator.

While a number of recruits butt heads, the showdown between Fenech and former Bachelor Locky Gilbert is said to be “epic”.

But theirs are not the only sparks to fly.

“The guy who everyone will be talking about is Richard Buttrose,” one well-placed source said.

SAS Australia 2022 recruits. Picture: Remco Jansen

The source revealed convicted drug dealer Buttrose gets into a huge verbal argument with one of the directing staff.

All eyes will be on former Olympic swimmer Geoff Huegill, who will no doubt discuss his battle with weight gain and the new baby he has welcomed following his split with ex-wife Sara Hills.

He also reportedly opens up about not being able to see his daughters day to day and the toll it has taken on him.

Special friendships will be formed, with popular model Simone Holtznagel, former Bachelor contestant Anna Heinrich and Australian boxer Ebanie Bridges walking away from the show as close pals.

From left: SAS recruits Simone Holtznagel, Ebanie Bridges and Anna Heinrich hanging out together. Picture: Instagram

The program, which is often the most talked about show after MAFS each year, will showcase two new DS, Prince Harry’s army bestie Dean Stott and Navy SEAL Clint Emersen who was part of the US team that took down terrorist Osama bin Laden.

The pair replace DS Jason “Foxy” Fox and Mark “Billy” Billingham who were unable to make the 2022 season due to other filming commitments.

The show was filmed on the NSW South Coast late last year, with the celebrity recruits set 14 gruelling new challenges.

Other recruits include actor Orpheus Pledger, former AFL stars Wayne Carey and Barry Hall, and former singer Melissa Tkautz.

Last year’s finale of SAS Australia, which saw NRL star Sam Burgess take out the top gong, took in 631,000 viewers, compared to The Block’s 849,000 metro viewers.

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