BIG BARRY: SAS THE ‘REAL DEAL’
HE was known on the footy field as big, bad, bustling Barry but former Aussie rules star Barry Hall says his days spent on SAS Australia were “the real deal”.
Hall – who lives on the Gold Coast with his partner, former Hi-5 member Lauren Brent, and their three children – was one of 17 celebrities who took on the reality TV show.
The celebrities were under the eyes of returning directing staff (DS) Ant Middleton and Ollie Ollerton, along with new DS, retired US Navy SEAL Clint Emerson and former British Special Forces soldier Dean Stott.
Before filming, Hall said he thought the show might not be as tough as it looked on TV.
“Getting used to doing what soldiers go through takes a couple of days to adjust because it’s so far from reality,” he said.
“Coming from a sporting background there are times like game day you have to really switch on, but in this experience I found I always needed to be in that state of mind. In all honesty I thought (it) wouldn’t be as hard as it looks on TV, until I turned up and saw how serious the DS crew were.
“They put the TV cast under the instructions that there’s only one take. If they miss something, too bad.
“I’ve done other reality shows where you do the walk in shot 10 times.
“It is legit and I assure anyone who goes in it in the future, it’s the real deal.”
SAS Australia returns on Monday from 7.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.