Three celebrities pass RTE’s gruelling Ultimate Hell Week while one fails at final hurdle

Recruits have completed every Hell Week challenge over the past five days to make it to this stage

They were athlete David Gillick, rugby player Billy Holland and GAA star Setanta Ó Alpín, who became an Aussie Rules sensation

The only one of the four finalists to fail the course was boxer Eric Donovan.

Recruits have completed every single Hell Week challenge over the past five days to make it to this stage, including numerous rigorous physical and mental tests.

They survived on two to three hours of sleep a night and survived cold water events, altitude tests and claustrophobic challenges, and various tests of strength, endurance and determination.

During tonight’s final episode, viewers saw the final four recruits give The Hell Week course the final push to pass on the final day.

And finally, the DS staff decided that the recruits should pass The Ultimate Hell Week course: Billy Holland, Setanta Ó hAilpín and David Gillick.

Ray Goggins said of Billy’s death: “Number 4, you came onto the pitch after your incredible rugby career, your leadership, your dedication to the course, your empathy, your kindness and your ability to put yourself at risk for you and for everyone else on the team it was amazing to see. They hold all the values ​​that are close to our hearts. I’m happy to report that you passed the course.’

Billy said after passing the course: “I’m very grateful that I made it and very proud that I did it. Aside from having my three children and getting married, it’s the best thing I’ve done as an individual. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved this week.”

The DS’s then met Eric Donovan (number 12) and gave him the news that he had failed the course.

“I told you earlier this week what qualities we look for in our candidates. It’s not just about surviving and just barely completing the tasks. You have some outstanding qualities that we really respected a lot, your physical attributes were off the scale,” he was told.

“Your performance on Foreman Aftman was superhuman, it was incredible. But you’ve shown us time and time again that you can’t be affective by doing simple tasks. So unfortunately number 12, that’s why you were taken out of the course, I have to take your armband.”

Eric said: “I’m incredibly proud, I’m disappointed that I didn’t make it at the last hurdle but very proud of my effort and reaching the end of the course. It was the craziest, craziest, hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. I gave absolutely everything, everything I had and I couldn’t give anymore…

“I think this experience here will have a profound and very positive impact on my life.” “It’s a bittersweet moment for me, but more sweet than bitter.”

Next, the DS met number 7, Setanta Ó hAilpín. “You have come a long way to get on this course, you have given up a lot, you have been absolutely committed to yourself and to the team, you have worked hard all the time. I’m happy to tell you that you passed,” they told him.

Setanta compared passing to winning an All-Ireland final.

“After going through what I’ve been going through all week, it’s a tremendous relief. It’s definitely something I’ll look back on in five or ten years and appreciate what I’ve done in this moment, it’s incredible,” he said.

Next, number 1 David Gillick found out he had passed. He really impressed the DSs.

“Your intellect, your ability to support calmly, you listened to people the whole time, you kept your focus and your team ethics. You were an excellent candidate so I am pleased to report that you passed,” he was told.

David said: “It was an absolutely amazing experience, I loved it, it was the best week of my life. There’s no better week than Ultimate Hell Week to really test yourself and see what you’re made of, and that surprised me.”

Each celebrity recruit attended Ultimate Hell Week for their chosen charity. Gillick chose Friends of the Coombe, Holland Jack and Jill Foundation, Donovan Cuan Mhuire Athy and Ó hAilpín Good Shepherd Cork.