SAS: Who Dares Wins gave Katie Price the ‘kick up the a**e’ she needed to transform her life, says star Ollie Ollerton
KATIE Price's massive lifestyle transformation over the last year was kickstarted by her time on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, according to show star Ollie Ollerton.
The 42-year-old only lasted two days filming in brutal conditions on the remote Scottish island of Raasay at the tail end of 2019, but Ollie believes it was enough to give her the "kick up the a**e" she needed.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, the former Special Forces soldier says: "I’d have loved it if Katie Price had stayed on a lot longer. I think she would have got so much value from that show. It just so wasn’t the right time for her. I don’t think she realised where she was.
"I think maybe just going through that process even if she wasn’t there for a long time has maybe given her a kick up the a**e. The lead up to the show the mental stuff that goes on in your head, that builds you up regardless.
"And I’ve always said this from day one, it doesn’t matter if you come on and go on day one, the lead up and everything it changes people. I reckon that really did contribute to that change in her."
The mum-of-five was forced to pull out of the show after a challenge in which she held a sandbag above her head caused inflammation in her newly reduced boobs.
At the time Katie was yet to meet boyfriend Carl Woods, who she has described as her "rock" and has helped to keep her on the right path.
Filming followed a sustained period of turmoil in Katie's personal life that included the collapse of her relationship with ex Kris Boyson and a fling with toyboy Charles Drury.
There had also been drink and drugs binges as she struggled to deal with her mum Amy's terminal lung condition, bankruptcy, and PTSD from a carjacking in South Africa.
Early last year she sought help at The Priory, quit drink and drugs, and more recently changed her look for a more sophisticated style as she continues to rebuild her life.
Meanwhile Ollie, who is supporting pet insurance provider, Pet Parent campaign, has also seen his life change over the past 12 months.
Last summer we revealed that he had been axed from SAS: Who Dares Wins as part of a diversity drive by Channel 4.
While the move blindsided him, he's not lost any sleep over the decision.
"I’m really pleased it happened," he says. "When it did happen I was only disappointed in the way I was treated, and I don’t think it’s fair that anyone in any organisation is treated like that.
"That TV stuff is part of my business. For me it was like losing a contract. That’s just everyday life in business.
"I’ve got bandwidth to find another. I’m now part of SAS Australia project, and that is absolutely amazing."
Ollie has praised the Aussie version of the show for its collaborative approach between its stars - Ant Middleton, Jason Fox, Ollie, and Mark Billingham - and the production team.
He's now raring to get back to work over there in March for the next series.
"It’s very refreshing over there. You’re working with a production company that really does work with us. It needs to be a partnership in the production and the talent, and that’s what the Australians have really embraced.
"The budget seems to be a lot lot bigger. They really do listen to our opinions and ideas. We delivered something that’s amazing. There’s a lot more energy, a lot more synergy, and the output is a brilliant programme that’s gone down amazingly. It’s like a breath of fresh air."
Just weeks ago, the 50-year-old married his longtime partner Laura Gander, 40, in a romantic ceremony in Gretna Green, Scotland.
Their initial plans for an adrenaline-fuelled James Bond-style wedding had to be scaled back due to the pandemic, but they still managed to make their way to the venue in style behind the wheel of an Aston Martin.
And Laura's designer Ghost dress was inspired by Spectre Bond girl Léa Seydoux.
The pair live with Laura's son William, 11, and their dog Murphy, and have ruled out having more children.
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Ollie laughs: "My war is over. Me and Laura have both done our bit, and we’ve got Murphy. I do not know how we would fit that in even if we wanted to. Three businesses we’re managing at the moment. We’re just constantly full on. We’re quite happy."
The novelist and business owner is a big dog lover and is backing Pet Parent campaign as pet ownership in lockdown rockets.
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It looks at the crucial role pets play in the family and how many are prioritising getting them over other major life decisions.
Of his Labrador Murphy, he says: "He’s an amazing part of our family and for me personally when it comes to mental health and physical health, he’s absolutely brilliant. He really supports me. Dogs have an amazing ability to snap you out of the bigger picture stuff."