Channel 4 star admits 'I was gutted' as he's forced to leave show day before final

Former The Only Way Is Essex star Bobby Norris expressed his devastation after being forced to leave Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins just 24 hours before the final due to medical reasons.

Bobby, along with fellow contestants Ovie Soko from Love Island and presenter Cherry Healey, departed from the physically demanding Channel 4 series following a gruelling wrestling challenge.

In the intense match, the celebrity recruits were tasked with taking down their opponents and making it outside a muddy, makeshift ring. Norris faced off against the towering two-metre tall basketball player Ovie Soko and suffered a torn shirt in his defeat.

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Post-challenge, Bobby sought medical attention and, following a doctor's assessment, was deemed unfit to continue participating in the competition.

According to the medic, Bobby was experiencing "a lot of spasm" in his neck, which was expected to worsen. Discussing his premature exit while collaborating on an project with WhichBingo, Bobby revealed: "I had to leave the day before the finale, I was gutted.", reports OK!.

"I don't think you really can prepare for SAS, physically wise. I started training in lockdown. I mean, who picks a pandemic to start getting fit? But yes, I was never in the right fitness before when it had come around and been offered to me but you can never really prepare."

Bobby also opened up about the rigorous nature of the popular TV series, stating; "I think it's actually a lot more mind over matter that show.

You get like proper Olympians on there. Do you know what I mean? And it doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to get to the end. So, yeah, just mentally just throw yourself into it. Tough show, though."

When asked which of his fellow former The Only Way Is Essex stars he'd fancy seeing on the Channel 4 challenge, Bobby didn't hesitate to answer, "I'd like to see Mark Wright."

He further praised Mark's abilities with, "I don't think Mark's ever done it. He smashed the jungle, so I think he would, yeah, absolutely smash it."

Recalling Mark's memorable stint on 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, where he finished second in 2011, losing out to McFly's Dougie Poynter, Bobby expressed enthusiasm about facing similar trials, adding: "Yeah, I'd love to do a little bit of the jungle."

His ambition shone through as he confessed his admiration for shows that offer contestants a real challenge and reward, saying, "Them kind of shows, they appeal to me. Where you've got like a challenge and you're actually going to get something out at the end of it."

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is available to watch on Channel 4 online