What Barry Hall loves most about reality TV

Former AFL star Barry Hall is no stranger to appearing on reality TV shows and says the often maligned genre has given him the “best gifts in life”.

Barry Hall was called up to be part of SAS Australia just four days before filming started.

Former AFL hardman Barry Hall says he owes reality TV for giving him the greatest “gifts” in life.

Hall, who was called up to be part of SAS Australia just four days before filming started, said the often maligned TV genre had been unexpectedly life changing.

“Absolutely, reality TV changed my life. I would not be with my wife, Lauren, and our boys if it wasn’t for reality TV,” he said.

“It has given me the best gifts in life that I could ever have.”

Hall met his wife Lauren Brandt on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! and has also taken part in the extreme mini golf game, Holey Moley.

Lauren Brant, Barry Hall and their two young children in Queensland. Picture: Instagram

“I can’t sit there and say reality TV is crap,” he said.

“They have been great experiences, it keeps you relevant, the shows are entertainment for people and they get to see the real you.

“Yes they can edit it, but if you don’t say stuff they can’t force it into an edit to make you look bad.

“I try to be very transparent, honest and open (on the shows). It has been a great gift for me, reality TV.”

The SAS series is dominated by former British Special Forces officer Ant Middleton who blows up in foul mouthed tirades at contestants regularly.

Hall defended the explosive Middleton, saying it was not personal even when Middleton was yelling in your face.

“When he tells you something and you don’t listen you deserve a hit up, you deserve everything you get, because he is telling you and putting trust in you. When he is yelling and screaming at you he is there to make you better,” Hall said.

“It is how you react to the criticism. He is there to make you better, he is not there to personally attack you. You can take the criticism negatively or you can take it on board and realise he is trying to help you.”