SAS Australia Firass Dirani calls Shannan Ponton a ‘redneck’ as feud escalates

Firass Dirani has fired back at Shannan Ponton after the former Biggest Loser trainer labelled him a ‘sociopath’ following their appearance together on SAS Australia.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, the 37-year-old actor branded Shannan a ‘redneck’, and took aim at his Maori tattoos. 

‘I find it strange where this vile aggressive labelling behaviour is coming from? I suspect there’s more prejudice against me than I imagined,’ Firass said. 

‘Feels like a redneck to me. Him and his followers. That’s called a line in the sand.’ 

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While Shannan, 46, and Firass clashed on the show, their feud has now escalated as new episodes have aired on Channel Seven. 

‘I honestly believe that he’s a sociopath in his behaviour,’ Shannan said of the House Husbands star on Wednesday. 

‘Time and time again, we said, “Listen mate, you’ve got to stop this behaviour.” And he said, ‘What behaviour?’

The Underbelly actor responded with a swipe at his co-star’s inkings: ‘What’s with his Maori tattoos? 

‘You’re embarrassing a whole culture. You are not worthy of such ancestral powerful artwork. You don’t even fall on the coattails of such warriors. You culture vulture.’

Shannan’s muscular arms and legs have intricate Maori patterns with tribal-style designs and elements.

In 2014, Shannan addressed his tattoos in a magazine interview: ‘My tattoos all have meanings, and stem back to when I was a builder and I worked with many Maori guys. I developed a real respect for the Maori culture and their philosophy on life.’ 

‘The whinging must stop. It’s a show – curated, edited and engineered. Wake up! I am not complaining about anything I have seen on the show. I love it!’ Firass continued, claiming Shannan was having a ‘testosterone tantrum’.

‘We were there to be put under pressure, and see how much we can handle, not gossip and whinge like school kids.’

Rubbing salt in the wound, Firass claimed he put personal trainer Shannan’s ‘legacy to shame’ on the series. 

‘I outworked him, outperformed him. He knows it, I know it… I just hope he doesn’t get hypothermia again reading this. If he does, call a doctor,’ he added. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Shannan Ponton for comment.

Shannan and Firass have repeatedly clashed on the show, mainly due to Firass’ behaviour towards the directing staff (DS), which has resulted in group punishments.

On Monday’s episode, several recruits pleaded with Firass to stop ‘gobbing off’ at the DS and to start being a team player.

However, many cast-mates have come to Firass’ defense this week, claiming that while he was frustrating on SAS, they didn’t think he was a ‘bad guy’.

Merrick Watts and Jackson Warne told Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa on Wednesday that he actually helped carry bags and water for those struggling with tasks. 

Eden Dally also told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday that ‘not everyone hated Firass’ and that he was ‘tough’. 

Shannan and Firass are two of 13 recruits left on SAS Australia attempting the SAS training course overseen by a team of British ex-Special Forces soldiers. 

Firass has openly claimed Channel Seven is 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. 

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