A feud has erupted between two popular TV shows, SAS: Who Dares Wins and Strictly Come Dancing, over reality star Pete Wicks. Pete participated in the SAS challenge show in New Zealand in July 2023, his second attempt after an injury forced him to quit the previous year. However, Channel 4’s production schedule means that the SAS series won’t air until September, coinciding with Pete’s appearance on Strictly.
This clash has left C4 executives furious as their promotion plans for SAS: Who Dares Wins have been disrupted by Strictly. The show’s bosses were hoping for Pete’s return to be a major storyline, showcasing his redemption arc after his previous injury. Unfortunately, all their plans will now be overshadowed by Strictly’s coverage of Pete’s participation.
This isn’t the first time SAS: Who Dares Wins has been overshadowed by another reality show. In 2022, Matt Hancock appeared on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity before his SAS adventure was broadcast the following year. The executives at SAS: Who Dares Wins were thrilled to have landed Matt Hancock for the show, only to have their spotlight stolen by a competing program.
Despite the frustrations faced by C4 executives, they have no choice but to accept the situation and adjust their plans accordingly. The clash between SAS: Who Dares Wins and Strictly Come Dancing highlights the competitive nature of the reality TV industry, where scheduling conflicts can have a significant impact on viewership and promotion strategies.
In other TV news, Gladiators star Fire, also known as Montell Douglas, has made her debut in a Strictly ballgown in the virtual universe. The former Team GB athlete was announced as the 12th celebrity contestant for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. Her avatar appeared in BBC’s virtual reality game The Wonder Chase on the online platform Roblox, wearing a flowing Strictly-style dress.
The Roblox platform features various BBC stars and allows players to interact with popular shows like Doctor Who and EastEnders through mini-games. Fire expressed her excitement about joining Strictly and embracing the challenge ahead. Her virtual debut in a Strictly ballgown showcases the innovative ways in which TV shows are engaging with their audience in the digital space.
Overall, the clash between SAS: Who Dares Wins and Strictly Come Dancing over Pete Wicks highlights the intense competition within the reality TV genre. As audiences eagerly await the upcoming series, the unexpected twists and turns in the scheduling of these shows add an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for viewers.