Adam Collard, Love Island Star and New Father, on Motivation for Competing in Grueling ‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’

Adam Collard Reveals Motivation for Joining Celebrity SAS: From Shy Kid to New Dad

Love Island star and new father Adam Collard, 29, has opened up about his drive to prove himself on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The fitness entrepreneur, who recently welcomed his first child with partner Laura Woods, is competing on the grueling Channel 4 show’s seventh season. Adam admitted his journey stems from overcoming childhood insecurities, revealing he was once a “shy and overweight” kid with low confidence.

[Image: Adam Collard on Celebrity SAS]

Overcoming Childhood Struggles
Adam shared that his school peers would never have predicted his fitness-focused career. “I had a chip on my shoulder,” he told Daily Mail. “I was an overweight kid, very shy, with no self-confidence. Owning gyms and tackling physical challenges—it all comes from wanting to prove myself.” He credits a personal transformation starting at age 16 for reshaping his life, calling his SAS experience a “full circle” moment.

[Image: Adam as a child vs. Love Island days]

Fatherhood and SAS Training
Surprisingly, Adam joked that the show’s brutal interrogation scenes—which involved enduring hours of crying baby noises—prepared him for sleepless nights as a dad. “Lack of sleep on SAS was good practice,” he laughed.

Unexpected Bonds
While pushing his limits, Adam formed unlikely friendships with X Factor’s Lucy Spraggan and drag star Bimini Bon Boulash. “Lucy and I had a brother-sister bond,” he said. With Bimini, he gained insights into the LGBTQ+ community, admitting, “In Newcastle, we’re years behind on these conversations.”

[Image: Adam with SAS castmates]

Celebrity Dropouts Shake Up the Show
The season premiere saw dramatic exits. Rebecca Loos quit during the first challenge—a freezing swim—while S Club 7’s Hannah Spearritt surrendered before even attempting a hostage rescue mission, despite vowing earlier not to “give up easily.” Dancer Louie Spence also left prematurely.

[Image: Hannah Spearritt quitting the challenge]

Brutal Challenges Test Stars
The recruits faced icy water swims, timed extractions, and relentless drills under instructors Billy Billingham and Jason Fox. Other contestants include Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, TOWIE’s Harry Clark, and ex-drug smuggler Michaella McCollum.

Adam’s journey—from self-doubt to resilience—highlights the season’s emotional core. Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins continues Mondays at 9pm on Channel 4.

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(Note: Image placeholders indicate where visuals would enhance the story. Actual article would include photos of Adam on the show, childhood comparisons, key moments, and exiting contestants.)