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Why troubled celebs appear on SAS Australia 
When looking for contestants on Channel 7 reality show SAS Australia, it seems producers love nothing more than a celebrity with a controversial past looking for redemption.
Now airing its third series after debuting in 2020, SAS Australia has cast many contestants who have either been involved in a controversy or been in trouble with the law.
The show’s chief instructor Ant Middleton has his own chequered past, including a four-month prison stint for assaulting two police officers in 2013.
However, the British Special Forces agent isn’t the only one known for having a contentious back story.
Recent contestants Geoff Huegill, Sam Burgess, Richard Buttrose, Schapelle Corby and Koby Abberton have all been charged by police in the past. 
According to a well-known PR crisis manager, SAS Australia can provide a quick and seamless rehabilitation story for a celebrity looking to get back in favour with the public.
PR CRISIS MANAGER
“”
This show seems to rehabilitate the reputations of these people in a space of weeks, instead of a long-running campaign which can take years.
However, the lengths producers go to in order to “redeem” the profiles of talent isn't missed by discerning viewers.
In 2021 the show was criticised for the “redemption story edit” of Burgess, who admitted to cheating on his wife Phoebe and using drugs following the breakdown of his marriage.
Schapelle Corby, who spent nine years in prison after being convicted of smuggling cannabis into Indonesia, also gave the program a crowd-pleasing redemption narrative.
One well-known talent agent lamented that it’s unfortunate how in some cases a criminal charge seems to help participants get on the show.
TALENT AGENT
“”
Getting cast in SAS Australia is a massive profile booster. And it’s crystal clear now what you have to do to get on the show.
Words: Briana Domjen Producer: Andrew Piva
																																								

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/web-stories/free/herald-sun/sas-australia-why-troubled-celebrities-are-cast-on-show