House Husbands star Firass Dirani, 36, claims his reputation as a troublemaker on SAS Australia is part of a ‘villain edit’ orchestrated by Channel Seven.
And on Monday, he refused to be bad-mouthed by his fellow celebrity recruits without telling his side of the story.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the actor unleashed a blistering response to former Biggest Loser trainer Shannan Ponton, branding his behaviour on-set as ‘juvenile’.
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SAS Australia EXCLUSIVE: Actor Firass Dirani (pictured) has slammed claims he was ‘juvenile’ on-set and insists he helped Biggest Loser trainer Shannan Ponton during hyperthermic shock
‘Who the f**k is he to tell me how to act? I wasn’t there to be compliant or hide. Or be a sheep. I went there to be me, and I didn’t fit into the construct of who he thought I needed to be,’ Firass said.
‘It’s utter hypocrisy coming from him, who got hypothermia – right next to me on a beach – and was shaking so uncontrollably hard it was almost impossible for him to utter the words “help”. But he eventually turned as he was convulsing, and asked for “Helllpppppp” and I then wrangled and assisted “Mr strong PT” in getting his gear together because he couldn’t use his hands and was going into hypothermic shock.’
‘He lost his memory and doesn’t even remember this. This the “juvenile” he is talking about?’ Firass added.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
‘I wasn’t there to be compliant or hide. Or be a sheep. I went there to be me’: Firass claimed Shannan took aim at him as he didn’t meet his expectations on the show
‘I assisted “Mr strong PT” in getting his gear together because he couldn’t use his hands and was going into hypothermic shock’: Firass said he was compassionate towards Shannan on the show when he was in need of help
Former Biggest Loser trainer Shannan had told TV Week earlier in the day: ‘On multiple occasions I asked Firass to hand in his badge, as his presence and repetitive behaviour were ruining the entire experience for the rest of us.’
‘I struggled with Firass’ behaviour from day one,’ Shannan said, adding that the star’s back-chat was a ‘lame attempt at juvenile humour’.
‘The entire cast was filthy, but many wanted to avoid confrontation and failed to speak up directly,’ the fitness coach said.
On Tuesday’s episode, the recruits were forced to run sprints as punishment for Firass’ insubordination, as he was ordered to stand back and watch.
‘I asked Firass to hand in his badge’: Former Biggest Loser trainer Shannan Ponton (centre) said the recruits were ‘filthy’ over being ‘punished unnecessarily’ for Firass’ ‘juvenile’ behaviour
SAS Australia in revolt: Firass was also apparently ‘told to leave’ by his celebrity co-stars after his behaviour led to brutal punishments on Seven’s military-style reality show
‘There HAS to be a villain. And, lo and behold – right here, this is it’: Firass has since hit back at Channel Seven – claiming the network was unfairly portraying him as the ‘villain’ of the series
Furious chief instructor Ant Middleton turned to Firass, 37, and his co-stars following the drill, and explained that two recruits had quit the show as a result of the task.
‘Out of three VW’s [voluntary withdrawal], two of them can thank this man here,’ he said, pointing at the actor.
Ant then made Firass turn and face his team, before informing him: ‘It’s not about you. Do not be that selfish p***k.’
After the episode aired, Firass took to Instagram to hit back at Channel Seven, and claimed the network was unfairly portraying him as the ‘villain’ of the series.
‘There has to be a villain, ladies and gentleman. There HAS to be a villain. And, lo and behold – right here, this is it,’ he said, pointing at himself.
‘They’ve more than fairly edited him’: Mark Billingham, an ex-British Special Forces soldier, said on Monday that Firass’ behaviour was ‘a lot worse’ than what was shown on TV
Cast: A total of 17 famous faces signed up for the intense SAS selection course, run by an elite team of ex-special forces soldiers known as the Directing Staff
Drill sergeant and ex-British Special Forces soldier Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham claimed to news.com.au on Monday that Firass should be ‘grateful’ for his generous portrayal.
‘They’ve more than fairly edited him to be honest, because he was a pain in the a**e,’ Billingham said bluntly. ‘He’s a bit of a pain.’
SAS Australia continues on Monday from 7:30pm on Channel Seven
Tune in: SAS: Australia airs Monday and Tuesday nights from 7:30pm on Channel Seven. Pictured model Erin McNaught dragging Ironwoman Candice Warner across the beach