He who dares

Rugby legend Ben Cohen is facing his biggest challenge yet as he's pushed to his limits in the North African heat

- WORDS: NIKKI ONAFUYE

He's waltzed on Strictly Come Dancing and stripped off for The Real Full Monty, but now Ben Cohen is embracing a new, tougher challenge.

The rugby legend, 47, has signed up for Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. The new series sees 14 British and Australian celebrities swap their lives of luxury for gruelling military-style challenges in the sweltering heat of North Africa.

Ben competed alongside reality star Dani Dyer, Love Islander Gabby Allen, TikTokker Jack Joseph, actor Cole Anderson-James, Olympian Toby Olubi and cricketer Graeme Swann.

Team Australia starred MAFS star Jessika Power, Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney, singer Axle Whitehead, Rogue Traders’ Natalie Bassingthwaite, cricketer Brad Hodge and Olympians Emily Seebohm and Mack Horton.

Putting them through their paces were chief Instructor Billy Billingham MBE and his team of directing staff - Foxy (Jason Fox), Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver.

Known for his toughness on the pitch, Ben discovered that resilience isn’t just physical - it’s mental, emotional and sometimes downright brutal. “You learn more about yourself in those moments than anywhere else,” he admits.

Here, Ben opens up about the preparation that nearly broke him and the lessons he carried home from one of the toughest experiences of his life...