Post Description

Selection for the SAS is one of the world's toughest job interviews and physical fitness is only the starting point. What's really being tested is psychological resilience and character as candidates undergo sleep deprivation, interrogation and a series of increasingly complex mind games. In this programme, five ex-special forces soldiers re-create tasks from the SAS's secret selection process, putting 30 civilian men through the ultimate test of their physical and - more importantly - their psychological resilience.

1 Character

The first episode sees the recruits arrive at an isolated barracks in Wales, and being introduced to the directing staff of Foxy, Ollie and Colin, all under the watchful eye of chief instructor Ant.

The recruits' first task is an unexpected one: writing an essay about themselves. Then they face an eight-mile combat fitness test while their essays are dissected for an insight into their character.

2 Weakness

The remaining recruits must choose their weakest colleagues, who then lead the next exercise. And there's the 'Sickener': a series of physical challenges that won't end until five recruits give up.

3 Fear

They speak to each recruit individually, giving them negative feedback on their performance so far and questioning whether they have what it takes to make it to the end. Those who can keep their resolve face one of the most intimidating tasks on Special Forces selection, diving backwards off a cliff into the freezing sea 12 metres below.