The new series of Channel 4’s hit reality show SAS: Who Dares Wins is available now on TV and All4 – Buzz caught up with Glenn Mainwaring, one of its stars, a Rhonda boy who endured a difficult time coming out in the Valleys but has since gone on to great success.
What inspired you to apply for Who Dares Wins?
I had various motives to apply for the show. Some very personal but really it was to challenge myself and put myself through the extreme conditions required to see if I could do it.
Was it partly inspired by the desire to upend stereotypes about gay men and masculinity?
Whilst at times, elements of society still consider gay men not as masculine as their “straight counterparts,” I hope my achievements on the show demonstrate that physical and mental strength can prevail [over stereotypes].
Would you say taking part in Who Dares Wins is the hardest think you’ve had to do in your life, or were there bigger challenges in your life?
Its definitely one of the hardest thing I’ve done. It was torment in terms of physical exertion in hot conditions with unpleasant directing staff shouting down your neck!! There was never a moment of relaxation as we were constantly on alert for the next physical challenge or crazy request!
How did you get on with the other contestants in the series?
I was very nervous about meeting the other recruits and how or if they would accept me, but something really weird happened that I wasn’t prepared for and we created this amazing bond together. It’s as if when we took off our civilian clothes and put on our uniform leaving all ego went out the door and we were all the same regardless of differences in background, culture or sexuality.
What are you most proud of in regards to taking part in Who Dares Wins?
I kept patting myself on the back for every day I got through and feeling such a huge sense of pride that I got through another day. But there was one challenge that id been psyching myself up for and it’s a fall backwards from a high drop. I didn’t think I was capable of doing it but as I stood at the edge of the board and looked into the distance I felt as if I was falling away from any negative events and leaving that in the past. It was quite amazing.
You’ve mentioned before that you had a difficult time growing up gay in the Welsh Valleys. Do you think its changed for young people since then?
I really hope so, I know the struggles I had growing up in the Valleys were as a result of not many gay people being out and about in the valleys or it not being seen in the media very much. Over the years it has been more public in the media and on the streets, which is refreshing, I think it gives younger gay men the encouragement to express themselves publicly and it educates any individuals with conservative views.
Many LBGT in the media people have spoken of their sense of displacement growing up – especially those from smaller places such as the Rhonda valley. Do you think the same holds true for you, and has that changed for you during your life?
It’s the individual that’s important – not allowing yourself to become displaced or sidelined in anyway is as important as gentle persuasion and changing of attitude of those who try to sideline LGBT. I hope to have shown I was forward thinking which prevented that happening to me. Some would question why I’ve even mentioned my sexuality – though being gay doesn’t define me it is a big part of who I am and certainly something I’m not ashamed of, and so been honest throughout.
SAS: Who Dares Wins is out now on All4. Info: http://www.channel4.com/