Shannan Ponton made the shock decision to voluntarily withdraw (VW) from SAS Australia on Monday.
After suffering from hypothermia during his final challenge, the Biggest Loser star, 46, admitted he ‘literally couldn’t perform’ any longer.
Speaking to Fitzy & Wippa on Tuesday, Shannan revealed exactly what happens when a celebrity hands in their armband on Seven’s military-style show.
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Behind the scenes: Shannan Ponton has revealed what really happens when a celebrity leaves SAS Australia – after he made the shock decision to quit due to hypothermia on Monday
‘Once you VW, you’re escorted straight off base,’ Shannan told the radio hosts.
Shannan also revealed that while he didn’t get to relax and have a beer with the directing staff (DS) after his exit, the four ex-Army officers were ‘incredibly compassionate’.
‘Everyone has a breaking point, but they [DS] are incredibly compassionate too in the right times, which was a really comforting thing at the end,’ the personal trainer said.
‘Once you VW, you’re escorted straight off base’: Speaking to Fitzy & Wippa on Tuesday, Shannan said the celebrities were marched off the set away from their co-stars
Softer side: Shannan also revealed that while he didn’t get to relax and have a beer with the directing staff (DS) after his exit, the four ex-Army officers were ‘incredibly compassionate’
‘They all came in at the end and said, “Listen, well done. For us, this is a highlight.” Particularly for me being older, the boys said, “Listen, we thought your body was going to give up a long time ago. We’re so proud of what you did.”
‘There are two sides to them: the brutality and dogged determination to get things done, and a compassionate side too, which is really kind and endearing. They’re always ready to give you a hug on the way out and a pat on the back.’
Shannan also spoke of his experience on SAS in a video shared by the show’s official Instagram account on Monday evening.
‘I literally couldn’t perform’: Shannan quit SAS Australia after suffering from hypothermia for the second time in a fortnight due to the extreme cold and wet conditions
He said: ‘The cold just got too much for me… Earlier on in the show I got hypothermia and today when we came out of the survival course it was back again.
‘I was shivering I couldn’t warm up and I literally couldn’t perform.’
Early in the season, Shannan required assistance from the DS getting dressed into warm clothes as he lost partial control of his limbs due to hypothermia.
In the episode which aired Monday, after completing a relentless obstacle course earlier in the day, the trainer appeared rattled back at base camp.
‘The water f**ked me. I just couldn’t get going. So far off the pace because of the cold water, I just couldn’t f**king get going,’ he said.
Final decision: ‘I’ve decided to VW,’ Shannan told DS Billy Billingham, as his fellow recruits watched on in complete shock and pleaded with him to stay
DS Billy Billingham then paid the remaining recruits a visit in their dormitory to see how they were faring after one of the toughest challenges yet.
‘Staff, I’ve decided to VW,’ Shannan said, as his fellow recruits watched on in complete shock.
Shannan assured them that he was ‘serious’ and said he had given the decision a lot of thought and consideration.
So close: Shannan left one challenge ahead of the finale. Only five celebrity recruits remain
There are now only five recruits remaining on the series: Nick Cummins, 33, Sabrina Frederick, 23, Merrick Watts, 46, James Magnussen, 29, and Molly Taylor, 32.
Daily Mail Australia understands that only three complete the course, with one told they still do not ‘pass’ the selection by the DS.
SAS Australia’s finale airs Tuesday from 7:30pm on Channel Seven
Who will pass? SAS Australia’s finale airs Tuesday from 7:30pm on Channel Seven. Pictured: lead instructor Ant Middleton