SAS: Who Dares Wins star Mark Billingham spoke to the Mirror about his travelling adventures including how the military has made his travelling experiences different and one unexpected country that surprised him
A tough exterior, but a soft interior — this is how Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham, one of the chief instructors on the gruelling Channel 4 competition show SAS: Who Dares Wins, is often described.
The famed drill instructor has made a career from intimidating unwitting members of the public and celebs alike, making them wilt with a studied glare that can break through any showbiz hardman or woman that is placed in front of him.
While it might be easier to imagine Mark abseiling out of a helicopter into a far-flung warzone than relaxing around the pool with a pina colada, the tough-as-nails presenter is surprisingly partial to a bit of sun, sea, and sand.
READ MORE: ‘I got the most beautiful view of Wonder of the World thanks to £60 Airbnb’
Indeed, Mark’s career has led him to some of the world’s most amazing places, including one unlikely destination that he claims everyone should go to – so long as you have your wits about you. “We did Jordan a couple of times – it was just amazing because of the culture, the people, the history — there is just so much to it,” the 59-year-old said of a trip with his wife.
“It’s more than just a holiday, it is a beautiful place. It is an education. To see the culture, the people and the landscape. It has so much history from the Biblical days to where they are now, considering it is a country surrounded by problems. Everybody gets on, everybody loves life.
“It’s safe — it’s safe enough. You have still got to have your wits about you. — abide by local culture and customs and you will have a great time. It is relatively cheap as well. Accommodation is good. You can do the desert side of it, you can do the mountains, you can do the city. A lot of people wouldn’t even think about [visiting] Jordan.
“I’d been out there with the military but didn’t get the chance to see it, but when I went back to explore it and see the place, it was amazing.”
Whilst his careers both in the military and as a bodyguard have led him to destinations across the globe, Mark has acquired a soft spot for cruises.
“We recently did a holiday cruise from Cape Town to the Canary Islands — it was amazing, just brilliant. It was different and so relaxing. You get spoilt on the cruise,” he revealed. “We even got to see a bit of the African coast as well.”
Traveling hasn’t always been luxurious, plain sailing for the star, though. “As a kid, we used to spend all our holidays in Ryhl [Wales] in a caravan. And once you have done Rhyl once, you have done it,” he continued.
“But that’s all we could afford. And it was always typical British summer when we went, the cheapest time and it was always raining. I wouldn’t say it was horrible — it was great in terms of being with family. But in terms of aesthetics and what we were doing, it was terrible.”
In his late teens, the former SAS operator ventured on his first solo holiday.
“The first time I went to America, I was a young kid and had never been out of my hometown. I ended up in Belize, in the jungle. I went across the Florida, to Fort Lauderdale and it was just ‘wow’ — a crazy world of sunshine and sand,” Mark shared. “You can have any environment in the world in America — everything is there.”
Whilst solo travelling used to be Mark’s preferred form of seeing the world, he revealed how that has now changed with age. “Now I am older, wiser and have more experience, I love travelling with my partner because I can point out stuff that I’ve known and she can point out stuff to me. And if we can travel with our dog, it’s even better,” he added.
“Travelling is the best university in the world. By getting out and travelling, you’re seeing it and feeling it, [it is] really good for those benefits of growing and understanding what the world is about. All my education is from travel.”
Admittedly, Mark feels that his military background has also helped him when it comes to exploring the world and working out what risks he should and shouldn’t take.
“You learn how to do proper planning — understanding exactly how to deal with things when they get wrong. Knowing how to get to a medical facility, what they offer and what you are or aren’t covered for. [I learnt to have] the right kit, passports in date, carrying correct medication, planning out routes and things you are going to see,” he continued.
“Travel is so so important, even if it is within your own country. It is a bonding session and a distraction from the stresses of everyday life.”
For those heading our on their adventures, Mark suggests one thing to make sure you enjoy yourself. “You won’t get to see all that is on your list, so reduce it from like 20 down to five and focus on those. And plan rest time.”
SAS: Who Dares Wins star Billy Billingham MBE QCB tour entitled ‘Always A Little Further’ continues this April 2025, for tickets please visit: https://www.fane.co.uk/billy-billingham
