Westcliff actress Maisie Smith has swapped acting for elite army training as part of a popular TV show.
The star is among the recruits for the upcoming series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Maisie, who left EastEnders at the end of last year, was among 14 famous names being put through their paces in the heat of the Jordanian desert.
The star, who is a former Chalkwell Junior School and Belfairs Academy pupil, described the show as “the best experience of my life.”
The original SAS: Who Dares Wins sees civilians put through military training exercises to test their physical and mental strength, and the celebrity spin-off launched in 2019.
Maisie, 21, said: “I’ve seen the show before and I really wanted to put my mental strength to the test.
“I’ve always pushed myself but this was beyond limits I didn’t even know I had.
“It was the best experience of my life."
The gruelling Channel 4 show is returning to TV screens in early September with its biggest line-up.
The series will also be the longest yet with seven 60-minute episodes.
Also taking part are Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison, TV personality Calum Best, javelin Olympic gold medallist Fatima Whitbread and Towie cast member Pete Wicks.
Reality TV personality Ferne McCann, Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard and his former Love Island contestant brother Curtis, Olympic sprinter Dwain Chambers, taekwondo Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones, boxer Shannon Courtenay and Paralympic high jumper Jonathan Broom-Edwards will also feature.
Former US Marine Rudy Reyes, 50, is also returning as chief instructor to lead the training course, after replacing Ant Middleton.
Reyes said: “SAS is renowned for having the highest standards. We don’t care where they come from or what their net worth is.
“We demand full throttle excellence no matter celebrity, title or fame.”
Maisie, who played Tiffany Butcher, joined the EastEnders in 2008 at the age of six.
This September she will make her musical theatre debut in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical.
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins returns to Channel 4 on Sunday September 4 at 9pm.
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