Dani Dyer reveals what Jarrod Bowen thinks of her Celeb SAS struggles

The former Love Islander admitted the show was one of the "hardest things" she has ever had to do

Zara Zubeidi Deputy Showbiz Editor

12:37, 16 Jan 2026Updated 12:37, 16 Jan 2026

[Dani Dyer wearing a military camouflage outfit]

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Dani Dyer has competed on Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins(Image: Channel 4)

Dani Dyer has spoken about husband Jarrod Bowens reaction to her recent appearance on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, saying the West Ham footballer sat like a Drill Sergeant next to her as they watched her take part in the underwater challenge.

The former Love Island star, 29, signed up for the military-style reality show alongside singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Neighbours legend Ryan Moloney and rugby star Ben Cohen, amongst a host of others. In the first episode, Dani was left with a bloody nose after going head-to-head in a boxing match with Married At First Sight star Jessika Power.

[The former Love Island star, 29, signed up for the military-style reality show alongside singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Neighbours legend Ryan Moloney and rugby star Ben Cohen, amongst a host of others]

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Speaking on her podcast Live and Let Dyers, Dani shared Jarrod's reaction with her friend Gabby Allen, who also competed on the Channel 4 show.

She said to Gabby: "Im sorry, you held your breath, babe. I didnt even hold it. Jarrod looked at me, and he was like a DS next to me when he watched it.

Dani has admitted that competing in the show was one of the "hardest things" she has ever had to do . Despite this, the reality star, who was forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing after sustaining an injury and was replaced by West End star Amber Davies , would be keen to do it again.

[Her friend Gabby Allen also took part on the show]

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Her friend Gabby Allen also took part on the show(Image: Channel 4)

She added: "I'd love to do it again, this is one of those things I'd love to do again and be a lot more headstrong, and a lot more...not a wimp. But do you know what? It was great and, yeah, I hope you all enjoy it."

In the first episode, celebrity recruits are made to go head-to-head in a boxing match with one another. Mum-of-three Dani takes on MAFS star Jessika Power, and despite the protective headgear, the star is left with a bloody nose.

After punching Dani square in the face, Jessika is declared the winner by chief instructor Mark 'Billy' Billingham. Dani told The Mirror that her experience on the show was "brutal" .

[Dani would be keen to do it again]

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Dani would be keen to do it again(Image: Channel 4)

Dani, who is the daughter of EastEnders legend Danny Dyer, has been married to footballer Jarrod Bowen since May, and they have twins Summer and Star together. She admitted that prior to agreeing to take part in the series, it was her sports star husband who gave her some valuable advice.

She told The Sun: "Jarrod told me to up my training before I went in. We went up to his family in the Midlands. I was training in potato fields with my dad, running up and down. I said to Jarrod, I cant believe you do all your training outside, even if it rains. Ive always loved being indoors doing the gym stuff. To go outside was the nitty-gritty of it all. Im really glad I did it.

Dani added: "I knew it was going to be hard, and I didnt go in there thinking, Its just a TV thing, but it was just as hard, if not harder. You just never switch off, whether youre back in your dorms or out on a challenge. Youre constantly second-guessing and never knowing whats next. It was brutal - but I really enjoyed it.

[Dani, who is the daughter of EastEnders legend Danny Dyer, has been married to footballer Jarrod Bowen since May]

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Dani, who is the daughter of EastEnders legend Danny Dyer, has been married to footballer Jarrod Bowen since May(Image: Instagram)

[They have twins Summer and Star together]

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They have twins Summer and Star together(Image: Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The reality star did admit that her husband and her dad both thought she was nuts for doing it. She said: Ive always been petrified watching it, but I never get to push myself out of my comfort zone, she says. In the job I do, I get so many amazing opportunities, and when this came around, I thought, When am I ever going to be able to test myself? My dad thought I was absolutely nuts because hes not a fitness person at all. When he does Soccer Aid, he has a fag just before he goes on the pitch. He was really proud of me, but we went, Id never do that. I dont know how youre my child!"

While it proved to be a gruelling experience, Dani learnt that shes a lot stronger than she thought. She admitted: I do find things hard in life. I beat myself up a lot and put a lot of pressure on myself In there, you can do anything life throws at you. With the Directing Staff, they scream and shout at yo,u but they want to get the best out of you.

In fact, being interrogated by the intimidating instructors ultimately helped her to cope with her insecurity about not being liked. She said: They wanted to know what my weaknesses were and make me deal with them. With the job that I do, it comes with a lot of s**t thrown at you and people saying youre talentless. You get a lot of that.

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"I stick up for myself a bit more now. Ive always worried what everyone thought of me. If someone didnt like me in school, I hated it and thought, What have I done wrong? What can I do to prove myself? But the Directing Staff tell you that the people in your life are the ones that matter.

Live And Let Dyers is available to listen to now on Global Player, or wherever you get your podcasts

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