Shannan Ponton spotted for the first time in public since Firass Dirani’s ‘redneck’ comment

SAS Australia star Shannan Ponton has been spotted in public for the first time since actor Firass Dirani called him a ‘redneck’ and ‘culture vulture’ amid their bitter feud. 

The 46-year-old was spotted in Sydney on Friday hosting a training session and even wearing a pair of pads for a boxing session. 

Despite Firass slamming his Maori tattoos, Shannan proudly showed them off as he cut a casual figure in a singlet and shorts.   

The former Biggest Loser Australia trainer wore a white Asics singlet and black shorts as he worked up a sweat. 

He appeared to be in high spirits despite making headlines for his feud with Firass, 36.

In particular, Firass has repeatedly clashed with Shannan, mainly due to Firass’ behaviour towards the DS, which has resulted in group punishments. 

Firass fired back at Shannan on Wednesday after the fitness guru labelled him a ‘sociopath’ in an interview with News.com.au.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, the 37-year-old actor branded Shannan a ‘redneck’, and labelled him a ‘culture vulture’ for having Maori tattoos. 

‘I find it strange where this vile aggressive labelling behaviour is coming from? I suspect there’s more prejudice against me than I imagined,’ Firass said.

‘Feels like a redneck to me. Him and his followers. That’s called a line in the sand.’

‘What’s with his Maori tattoos? You’re embarrassing a whole culture. You are not worthy of such ancestral powerful artwork. You don’t even fall on the coattails of such warriors. You culture vulture,’ he added in another swipe.

Speaking to News.com.au earlier this week, Shannan sensationally labelled the House Husbands star, 36, a ‘sociopath’ because of his behaviour on Seven’s military-style show.

‘I honestly believe that he’s a sociopath in his behaviour,’ Shannan said. 

On Monday’s episode, several cast members pleaded with Firass to stop ‘gobbing off’ at the DS and to start being a team player.

‘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 said of Firass showing little remorse for the consequences of his behaviour. 

‘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.

While he described Firass as a ‘sociopath’, it’s important to note that Shannan is not a doctor and is not qualified to make a psychiatric diagnosis.