The Meadows-born former footballer Jermaine Pennant has signed up for the next season of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, according to reports. The 39-year-old former Notts County player could be getting ready to be put through his paces in the next series of the show.
Pennant, who has been a vocal advocate for mental health issues, has been named as one of the new recruits rumoured to be enlisting on the Channel 4 programme. The line-up is said to include a diverse selection of celebs - everyone from a former Page 3 model to an MP.
According to the Mirror, bosses at Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins have now cast their final line-up for the 2023 series.
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The former Arsenal player has spoken openly about his childhood struggles and trying to stay on the straight and narrow. He previously opened up about his upbringing by a single father who was a drug dealer.
An insider said: "Jermaine is looking forward to competing in the gruelling show, fitness-wise he knows it's going to be hard but he's used to rigorous training workouts. His backstory is fascinating due to his tough upbringing which is why show bosses wanted him involved as the DS's will have plenty to grill him about."
Jermaine began his senior football career back in 1998 when he signed for Notts County, playing for the team until 1999. Playing for England Under 21s between 2001 and 2004, Pennant signed for Arsenal before joining Watford and Leeds on loan. He signed for Birmingham City in 2005 but joined Liverpool in 2006. Other teams over his 20-year career included Portsmouth, Stoke, and most recently, Billericay Town.
On the show, celebs will have to battle it out through a series of tasks, from being taken hostage to jumping out of helicopters - all under the watchful eye of chief instructor Rudy Reyes -to see if they have what it takes to be part of the special forces. In recent weeks, various names have been floating around, according to The Mirror, but it appears the full line-up has been leaked. If the rumours are correct, the author and pundit will be keeping company with some surprising fellow contestants including the likes of a former Page 3 model, reality stars and chart-topping boyband icons.
The Sun claims Matt Hancock is just one of the names who have signed up for the programme. Others rumoured to be up for the challenge include Siva Kaneswaran of The Wanted, household name Melinda Messenger and TV personality Danielle Lloyd. Also said to be on the list are Pop Idol's Gareth Gates, rugby legend Gareth Thomas, cyclist Jon-Allan Butterworth, reality TV star James 'Arg' Argent, and Liberty X star Michele Heaton.
With surprising entry on the list - former health secretary Matt Hancock - others include Hollyoaks star Kirsty-Leigh Porter, Love Island's Teddy Soares and Montana Brown, athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton, comedian Zoe Lyons and Only Way is Essex star Amber Turner.
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