Mark Billingham recalls near-fatal incident with Pete Wicks on SAS show

During the filming of the sixth series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in New Zealand, contestant Pete Wicks experienced a severe health scare. While participating in a challenging winter warfare training exercise, he struggled to breathe and collapsed on a snowy mountain, prompting instructor Mark 'Billy' Billingham to call for medical assistance. This incident occurred as the recruits were pulling sleds up the mountain, with Pete attempting to complete the task alone. He later revealed that he had pushed himself too hard and was dehydrated, leading to his collapse. Previously, Pete had been medically withdrawn from the show after a dangerous stunt involving a helicopter jump went wrong, resulting in injuries including broken ribs. Despite these setbacks, he expressed a strong desire to return to the competition, feeling he had not performed to his best ability during his first attempt. In addition to his challenges on the show, Pete recently attended a close friend's wedding in Italy, where he served as a 'flower girl.' This commitment required him to miss important rehearsals for his participation in Strictly Come Dancing. His appearance at the wedding showcased his stylish attire and dedication to his friend, highlighting his busy schedule amidst the pressures of reality television. The combination of physical challenges on the show and personal commitments outside of it illustrates the demanding nature of reality TV, where contestants must balance intense training with their personal lives.