The on-screen feud between Biggest Loser trainer Shannan Ponton, 46, and actor Firass Dirani, 36, on SAS Australia continues to escalate in the real world.
On Wednesday, fitness guru Shannan sensationally labelled the House Husbands star a ‘sociopath’ for his behaviour on the military-style show.
Speaking to news.com.au, the father-of-two boldly claimed: ‘I honestly believe that he’s a sociopath in his behaviour.’
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SAS Australia star Shannan Ponton sensationally labels actor Firass Dirani (pictured) a ‘sociopath’ after showing ‘little remorse’ for his ‘infuriating behaviour’ on military-style show
Both Shannan and Firass have continually clashed on the series, as Firass’ behaviour and comments to the Directing Staff (DS) have resulted in group punishments.
On Monday’s episode, some of the cast pleaded with Firass to stop ‘gobbing off’ to the DS and to start behaving as a team player among the recruits.
‘It was as infuriating as it was confusing. At no stage did he ever assume responsibility for his actions. At no stage did he say sorry,’ Shannan claimed of Firass showing little remorse for his behaviour and their consequences.
‘At no stage did he ever assume responsibility for his actions. At no stage did he say sorry’: Shannan (pictured) claimed Firass didn’t remorse for his behaviour and their consequences
‘He was there to do it the hard way, like some kind of martyr’: Shannan claimed Firass went onto the show to ‘be punished’, but in doing so he also brought punishments for the rest of cast
‘The thing that really got under my skin is that he’d go off on some sort of tangent that he was there to be punished and he was there to do it the hard way, like some kind of martyr. But the only problem with that kind of thinking was that each time he did something stupid, we were the ones that got punished,’ Shannan added.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Firass Dirani for comment.
The actor has already claimed his reputation as the chief troublemaker on SAS Australia is part of a ‘villain edit’ orchestrated by Channel Seven, and has taken personal digs at Shannan on social media.
On Monday, Firass unleashed a blistering response to former Biggest Loser trainer Shannan branding his behaviour on-set as ‘juvenile’.
SAS Australia EXCLUSIVE: Actor Firass (pictured) slammed claims he was ‘juvenile’ on-set and insisted he actually helped Biggest Loser trainer Shannan during hyperthermic shock
‘I wasn’t there to comply or hide. Or be a sheep. I went there to be me’: Firass claimed Shannan took aim at him as he didn’t meet his expectations on the show
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the Underbelly star said: ‘Who the f**k is he to tell me how to act? I wasn’t there to comply or hide. Or be a sheep. I went there to be me, and I didn’t fit into the construct of who he thought I needed to be.’
‘It’s utter hypocrisy coming from him, who got hypothermia – right next to me on a beach – and was shaking so uncontrollably hard it was almost impossible for him to utter the words “help”. But he eventually turned as he was convulsing, and asked for “Helllpppppp” and I then wrangled and assisted “Mr strong PT” in getting his gear together because he couldn’t use his hands and was going into hypothermic shock.’
‘He lost his memory and doesn’t even remember this. This the “juvenile” he is talking about?’ Firass added.
‘I assisted “Mr strong PT” in getting his gear together because he couldn’t use his hands and was going into hypothermic shock’: Firass said he was compassionate towards Shannan on the show when he was in need of help
‘I asked Firass to hand in his badge’: Shannan (centre) claims the recruits were ‘filthy’ over being ‘punished unnecessarily’ for Firass’ ‘juvenile’ behaviour on the show
Former Biggest Loser trainer Shannan had told TV Week earlier in the day: ‘On multiple occasions I asked Firass to hand in his badge, as his presence and repetitive behaviour were ruining the entire experience for the rest of us.’
‘I struggled with Firass’ behaviour from day one,’ Shannan said, adding that the star’s back-chat was a ‘lame attempt at juvenile humour’.
Last week the recruits were forced to run sprints as punishment for Firass’ insubordination, as he was ordered to stand back and watch.
‘There HAS to be a villain. And, lo and behold – right here, this is it’: Firass has since hit back at Channel Seven – claiming the network was unfairly portraying him as the ‘villain’ of the series
‘They’ve more than fairly edited him’: Mark Billingham, an ex-British Special Forces soldier, said on Monday that Firass’ behaviour was ‘a lot worse’ than what was shown on TV
After the episode aired, Firass took to Instagram to hit back at Channel Seven, and claimed the network was unfairly portraying him as the ‘villain’ of the series.
‘There has to be a villain, ladies and gentleman. There HAS to be a villain. And, lo and behold – right here, this is it,’ he said, pointing at himself.
Drill sergeant and ex-British Special Forces soldier Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham claimed to news.com.au on Monday that Firass should be ‘grateful’ for his generous portrayal.
‘They’ve more than fairly edited him to be honest, because he was a pain in the a**e,’ Billingham said bluntly. ‘He’s a bit of a pain.’
SAS Australia continues on Monday from 7:30pm on Channel Seven
Tune in: A total of 17 famous faces signed up for the intense SAS selection course, run by an elite team of ex-special forces soldiers known as the Directing Staff