Richard Buttrose shocked his fellow recruits and the Directing Staff on SAS Australia tonight when he blew up over the name-calling and “editing” on the brutal show.
After besting Pauly Fenech in a gruelling tug-of-war battle atop two opposing cliffs, Richard seemed to be doing well and was even brought in for a second round against Millie Boyle.
But things went downhill when he mistakenly started the challenge before DS Ollie Ollerton gave the order to begin, earning Richard a harsh dressing down.
“What did I f—king say? Stop taking f—king shortcuts!” he screamed in Richard’s face. “Do as you’re f—king told or else I’ll shove you f—king down [the cliff].”
DS Clint Emerson then branded Richard a “f—king clown”, before Ollie went in for another verbal attack when Richard lost to Millie and was pulled over the cliff’s edge.
Richard Buttrose got a harsh dressing down from DS Ollie Ollerton.
(Image: Channel Seven)Furious, Richard returned to the other recruits ranting about the “f—king bullshit” before rounding on DS Dean Stott and declaring: “I don’t think I want to be part of this stupid TV show anymore.
“You guys are tearing strips off me for s—t I’m not f—king doing… I get told ‘you’re cutting corners, you’re cheating’… it’s f—ked!”
Ollie tried to reassure him, reminding Richard that the SAS selection process is designed to be hard on people physically and mentally, but when DS Ant Middleton got involved, Richard lost it.
“I’m sick of the bulls—t TV,” he said, staring straight into the camera. “F—k off, f—k off. I’m not falling for this bulls—t.”
Ant demanded Richard voluntarily withdraw from the course if he was going to have that attitude, but the convicted drug dealer refused to back down.
“I don’t give a f—k about any of that. I don’t need you to be nice to me,” he said, insisting he wasn’t going anywhere.
But just as Ant was ready to drop the issue, Richard piped up again: “Beautifully edited. Glad we got that scene.”
Ant rounded on him, shouting: “This isn’t a scripted show, we don’t go back and look at the footage.”
Though Richard chose to stay, the outburst left his fellow recruits frustrated. But the DS were even more disappointed in Richard’s behaviour and Ant decided the issue had to be dealt with.
Rounding up the recruits back at the base, he reminded them once again that “this is not a scripted show” before asking Richard if he wanted to be there.
Ant Middleton took the number off Richard’s arm and kicked him off the course.
(Image: Channel Seven)But Richard refused to give him a straight answer and in the end Ant got tired of his games, tearing the number off his arm and booting him from the course.
Even then, Richard had to have the last word, calling out “Glad you got that moment [on camera]?”
So how much truth was there to Richard’s claims that SAS Australia is scripted and edited to portray recruits in a certain light?
Simone Holtznagel, who withdrew last week, confessed in an exclusive chat with TV WEEK that there is some behind-the-scenes editing that can affect how certain stars appear on the show.
Referring to co-star Locky Gilbert, she said: “He really wasn’t that full on in person. I would say it might be a bit of a dud edit.”
WATCH: Locky Gilbert opens up on SAS Australia. Story continues after video.
Meanwhile, past recruits have suggested that certain elements of the show are planned in advance, including who makes it to the end of the selection process.
“Everyone loves a story of redemption. Especially producers who are more interested in ratings than the integrity of the SAS course and the viewing public,” a source told the Daily Mail.
“This show is a charade. It’s no different to Married At First Sight.”
But Ant Middleton seemed pretty sure the show was totally unscripted, proving there are two sides to the story.
Want all the details on the latest season of SAS: Australia? Check out these stories:
Is SAS Australia really “as fake as MAFS”? Here’s the truth
The most brutal injuries in SAS Australia history
Do we already know who wins SAS Australia 2022?
Where is SAS Australia filmed? Inside the brutal location
Who is SAS Australia’s ruthless leader Ant Middleton?
SAS Australia star Anna Heinrich’s baby stole our hearts
Inside Locky Gilbert and Irena Srbinovska’s relationship
Meet the family waiting for Barry Hall at home after SAS
Inside Orpheus Pledger’s past as a Home And Away hunk
