Fatima Whitbread

Fatiima Whitbread was praised by viewers of Channel 4's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins as she revealed her heartbreaking childhood secret.

Viewers were quick to react to Fatima's secret and her bravery on the show, with one taking to Twitter to write: "what a woman Fatima is. While many of her younger counterparts were left massively distressed by their ordeal, Fatima somehow managed to keep composure and erven answered that she was 'a soldier in the SAS' when she was asked for her occupation by the instructor. And it was during a candid chat with Nark and Jason that Fatima opened up on her childhood trauma. As Mark shuffled in his seat and looked moved by what Fatima was telling him, she added that she spent the first 14 years of her life in a children's home with no visitors before, as she puts it, being "fortunate to find the love of the Whitbread family at 14," after taking up sport and meeting her adopted mum, javelin coach Margaret and spending a week's summer holiday with the family. She told the duo: "I was abandoned as a baby and some would say left to die in a flat in London and a neighbour heard that baby crying for a couple of days and didn't see anyone coming or going so she reported it and the police came along, banged the door down and rescued the baby and it got taken to hospital, where I stayed for six months." At the age of 60, Fatima is the oldest of this year's celeb recruits by some stretch but was the most calm and collected when they were given a baptism of fire to their Who Dares Wins experience when they were locked in a gas chamber before having to find an alternative exit.

Fatima Whitbread is the oldest to join Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins this year, but she braved the challenges despite an injury.

She opened up about how the younger contestants were very supportive of her throughout the process, and said: Fatima is seen supporting Pete Wicks in the first episode, and relates to DS staff Rudy Reyes for a similar upbringing in children’s homes. I didn’t want her to go but I could see she was in so much pain. Anyone who has had cracked ribs will know that trying to get off the bed alone is a nightmare. The mother to one son, Ryan, also said that she had to throw a punch at Love Island’s Amber Gill. The athlete cracked three ribs after jumping out of a helicopter during filming.

The ultimate endurance test for celebrities is back, as 14 new recruits including Calum Best and Fatima Whitbread undertake their SAS training in the ...

Of course, Billingham’s sentiment is correct to a degree, but this is a TV show, so there is inevitably a level of “fake” here, too. delivers that in spades – though why any of the participants have agreed to it, I’ll never know. “They are in for a big shock.” Some of the celebrities struggled – though you would, wouldn’t you, being locked in a room full of tear gas? In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose. “Celebrities live in a world of fake,” said directing staff member and former SAS officer Billingham.

Shannon Courtenay and Jonathan Broom-Edwards have teased the upcoming challenge, which airs in tonight's episode of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the [Radio Times podcast](https://www.radiotimes.com/podcasts/) with Jane Garvey. Don't put water on your face.' And I immediately did all three. [TV Guide](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/) or visit our dedicated [Entertainment](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/) hub for the latest news. [Subscribe today](https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/radio-times-magazine-subscription?promo=RTBWDSS1A&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_source=radiotimes.com&utm_campaign=summer-sale_rtbwdss1a&utm_content=sidebar-widget&style=brand) [subscribe now](https://www.radiotimes.com/magazine-subscription/) to get each issue delivered to your door. "I didn't realise how bad that would be. [terms and conditions](https://www.immediate.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/) and [privacy policy](https://policies.immediate.co.uk/privacy/). Absolutely horrendous. [2022 line-up for Celebrity SAS: Who Dare Wins](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/celebrity-sas-2022-confirms-cast-newsupdate/) last month, with [Strictly Come Dancing](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/talent-shows/strictly-come-dancing-2022-release-date/) stars Maisie Smith and AJ Pritchard taking part alongside [Love Island](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/love-island-2023-winter-summer-newsupdate/)'s Amber Gill and Olympian Fatima Whitbread. And it's definitely the ugliest I think I've ever looked in my life." [Subscribe to Radio Times magazine and get 12 issues for £1](https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/radio-times-magazine-subscription?promo=RTBPL22&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_source=radiotimes.com&utm_campaign=fixed-article_rtbpl22&utm_content=promotional-link&utm_style=brand) [RadioTimes.com](http://RadioTimes.com) and other press, Broom-Edwards said the gassing challenge was the hardest thing he had to do on the show.

The hit Channel 4 show is back for a new series as 14 more celebrities see if they have what it takes to pass the gruelling Special Air Services screening ...

If you're on Facebook, you can find our dedicated social media group on all things celeb [here](https://www.facebook.com/groups/393445517839575) Former Olympic athlete Fatima Whitbread MBE and [Strictly Come Dancing's](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/strictly-come-dancing) AJ Pritchard are also starring in the 2022 season. [here ](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/). @cookiejoe9 quipped: "Mmm here we go Z list celebs." @Demita_H agreed, asking: "Is there ever a programme where I don’t know 50% of these so called celebs." The hit [crop of contestants](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/celebrity-sas-start-date-full-24849000) features the likes of [Love Island](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/love-island) winner Amber Gill, footballer Ashley Cain and [EastEnders](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/eastenders) actress Maisie Smith. [Jason 'Foxy' Fox](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/sas-who-dares-wins-jason-22302951) and Remi Adeleke as he welcomed the new recruits. [Celebrity SAS start date and full line-up as Channel 4 lines up longest-ever series](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/celebrity-sas-start-date-full-24849000) [ITV Celebrity Lingo viewers make same demand as they slam Adil Ray's 'off-putting' replacement](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/itv-celebrity-lingo-viewers-make-24928588) [Love Island star Amber Gill says appearing on Celebrity SAS made her realise she needed therapy](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/love-island-star-amber-gill-24927995) [Love Island's Ekin-Su and Davide reunite amid rumours of 'ongoing rows'](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/love-islands-ekin-su-davide-24928311) [Joe Lycett divides fans as he 'derails' Laura Kuenssberg's new BBC show with 'right wing' comments](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/joe-lycett-divides-fans-derails-24927762) [Jane McDonald says she doesn't think she'll 'ever have another man'](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/jane-mcdonald-says-doesnt-think-24927468) [Channel 4](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/channel-4) show returned to screens tonight (September 4).