Pete Murray ready to be stripped bare on national TV for SAS Australia
One of the celebrities on SAS Australia has revealed how he was pushed to the limit in the gruelling physical and mental challenges.
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Like his music, Pete Murray is simply smooth and effortlessly chilled, so he’s the last person you’d expect to pop up in the hurdy-gurdy that is reality TV. And you’d certainly not have picked him to put his hand up for the brutal physical – and mental - challenge that is SAS Australia.
Murray’s always been fit, obviously, and, in fact, before music came calling, the singer/songwriter looked set for a rugby career. He was picked for the Queensland Sevens in 1993, but series of serious knee injuries ended that. Murray’s never quashed that competitive spirit. and jumped at the chance to put himself through one of the ultimate tests.
“I loved the idea of what the show is about and how it pushes you to your limits,” he tells Midweek Binge Guide. “I keep fit and I train hard and I like to push myself, but having the DS (Directing Staff) to push you was great.
“Look, it was scary and you didn’t know what you were doing, but it was a great experience.”
A late call-up to the contingent, the 51-year-old had a month to get ready. Despite keeping fit with regular workouts and surfing near his Byron Bay home, Murray was a little concerned he wouldn't keep up with some of the younger celebs. He hadn’t run in 25 years thanks to his two knee reconstructions.
The first day he ran 3km to see how’d he go.
“I was like ‘Holy Jesus’,” Murray jokes. “After 25 years it was real struggle.”
But he got back into the flow by the end of that week.
A week of promo in Melbourne meant he could only find time to run on a treadmill late at night in his hotel gym. Disaster struck after about 30 seconds. He strained his calf.
“I was like ‘Are you serious? I’m three weeks out’,” Murray winces at the recollection.
His injury doesn’t show in the first episode, as the usually mild-mannered singer, keeps his head down and gets on with the things.
The first episode of this second instalment opens with a bang as we see all the star recruits – also including singer/actor Bonnie Anderson, socialite Brynne Edelsten, dual Olympian Jana Pittman, ironmen Jett Kenny, celebrity chef Manu Feildel, tennis legend Mark Philippoussis and controversial NRL player Sam Burgess – gassed.
Murray took it in his stride, and while not enjoying it per se, explains he appreciated it as an amazing experience he’d never usually have.
“And after the gassing you come out and run down to the parade ground and strip naked,” he shares.
“They’re just stripping you of everything you’ve got, and leaving the outside world behind. I’m into that – I think it’s just great how they do it all.”
Eighteen Aussie celebrities have volunteered to leave their privileged lives behind and embark on what is likely to be the toughest test of their lives – a condensed version of the Special Forces selection course, a brutal process which will physically and mentally strip them back to the core. They’re given number instead of names – Murray is recruit No.5.
In punishing conditions, these recruits will be subjected to extreme physical endurance, sleep deprivation, interrogation and psychological testing, with no allowances or exceptions made for their celebrity status or gender.
Murray was constantly on edge, wondering what would be thrown at him next. He didn’t sleep a wink the first night in the uncomfortable camp cot. While much has been made on social media about the so-called “bullying tactics” used by the DS – led by Chief Instructor Ant Middleton – Murray defends the staff.
“The boys are not bullies, it’s not about that,” he explains.
“When the guys abuse you, they are actually there to help you get through. They said straightaway on the show ‘if you listen to us, we’ll get you through, but you have to listen to us’.
“They’re there to freak you out as well – they want the mentally strong.
“It’s not a reality show. It’s a course. I am not into reality shows, but this is doing a course.”
Murray just welcomed his fourth child – daughter Sahara May with wife Mira Eady in June – and laughs when we suggest he took on the challenge to escape domestic duties.
He spends plenty of time at home, writing and creating in his home studio. And even more so as the delta wave locks down half of Australia, further crippling the live music scene.
“I do like family time – it’s a priority,” Murray says.
“To be honest though, I’m pretty keen to get out and starting playing again – it’s nothing to do with family. But you do go stir crazy when you can’t perform.”
Like so many others, Murray’s had to postpone tours. he’s hoping to be able to resurrect those plans next year.
“As you are well aware, the music industry’s been hammered,” he says. “We’re pretty keen to get back into it, but we’ll be the last ones to get back.
“Unfortunately we can’t reorganise things and start work new week. that’s the hardest thing for us.”
In good news for his legion of fans, Murray does have a new single – Hold Me Steady -dropping next week. He’s excited about getting some more new music out, and hopes to be able to play shows next year.
“That was pushed back from last year too,” he explains. “The problem is normally you tour to promote and we can’t do that at the moment.
“It’s really hard times so the sooner we can get back to it the better.
“At some point we have to learn how to live with this, we can’t kept locking down. It’s creating a lot more issues than what Covid is.”
SAS AUSTRALIA, MONDAY, 7.30PM, CHANNEL 7
HOLD ME STEADY, (SONY) OUT SEPTEMBER 17
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