Boris Johnson's sister Rachel shares real reason for doing Celebrity SAS

Rachel Johnson is competing on Celebrity SAS 2024

Rachel Johnson taking part in the Backwards Dive on Celebrity SAS
Rachel Johnson taking part in the Backwards Dive on Celebrity SAS. (Channel 4)

Boris Johnson's sister Rachel has been upfront about her reason for taking on the notoriously difficult challenge of Celebrity SAS.

It's one of the toughest shows on telly, with John Barrowman quitting in under two hours apparently because 'he didn't like the look of the accommodation' offered to the celebrities. There is no VIP treatment as the stars are tested to the extreme as they battle to pass the difficult SAS selection test.

Johnson told Yahoo and other press: "It's not about trying to change people's opinion of me. You can't. People think of me in one way only, and I just want to get through my life having as much fun as possible."

Unapologetically, Johnson said she didn't care if the Celebrity SAS viewers at home approved, it just appealed to the journalist's sense of adventure.

Rachel Johnson was ready for the challenge of Celebrity SAS.
Rachel Johnson was ready for the challenge of Celebrity SAS. (Channel 4)

She added: "I thought it was an amazing experience and I sort of don't care, I don't need people to approve of me or like me, and that's how I go. I'm not needy. I don't care if they follow me on Instagram. You know, that's fine. Sorry. Why would you care?"

While the 59-year-old jumped at the chance to take part in Celebrity SAS, she skipped out on doing I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here in previous years. Her dad Stanley did do the jungle show though. Celebrity SAS is not Johnson's first brush with reality TV as she has starred on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

Doing Celebrity SAS, Johnson revealed she broke a rib while coming down the dam during one of the difficult tasks. It was day two of filming and the journalist sought the advice of the medic who asked her whether she wanted to go home because they are unable to do anything about broken ribs.

There was no way Johnson wanted to give up on the chance of competing on the show though and she made her decision to "power on through" with the injury.

Rachel Johnson gave Celebrity SAS her all.
Rachel Johnson gave Celebrity SAS her all. (Channel 4)

"I broke a rib," Johnson told press. "It was a lose-lose situation cos you're in terrible pain and you go to the doctor and you say, 'I can't walk or I definitely can't run. And I definitely can't carry my pack.' And the doctor says, 'Well, you know, there's nothing I can do about a broken rib. I'm not an X-ray machine. Do you want to leave?' So you just have to power on through."

In response, a Channel 4 spokesperson told Yahoo: "Contributor care is of paramount importance and we have strict protocols in place to ensure the health and welfare of each celebrity recruit before, during and after filming.

Pictured: Bianca Gascoigne, Chris Robshaw, Pete Wicks, Ovie Soko, Georgia Harrison, Bobby Norris, Anthony Ogogo, Shazia Mirza, Tez Illyas, Cherry Healey, Rachel Johnson, Marnie Simpson, Ellie Downie, John Barrowman and Lani Daniels. (Channel 4)
Pictured: Bianca Gascoigne, Chris Robshaw, Pete Wicks, Ovie Soko, Georgia Harrison, Bobby Norris, Anthony Ogogo, Shazia Mirza, Tez Illyas, Cherry Healey, Rachel Johnson, Marnie Simpson, Ellie Downie, John Barrowman and Lani Daniels. (Channel 4)

"All tasks and recruit activities are risk assessed before being completed and mitigation measures put in place. We take seriously all injuries and have an experienced health and safety and medical team on location throughout filming to treat all injuries where necessary."

In a separate interview, Johnson addressed Barrowman's early exit from the Channel 4 show saying he withdrew after seeing the accommodation where all the celebrities were staying. She told MailOnline: "John left like two hours in. He did the first day and then he voluntarily withdrew in camp. When we were doing the tour of the accommodation."

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins returns to Channel 4 on Sunday, 22 September.