0:00:04 > 0:00:06Here, under the scorching African sun...
0:00:06 > 0:00:08SCREAMING
0:00:08 > 0:00:11..we have created the ultimate military boot camp.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Oh, my God.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14..with veterans of six of the world's
0:00:14 > 0:00:16fiercest Special Forces units.
0:00:16 > 0:00:1822 of Britain's toughest civilians
0:00:18 > 0:00:21are about to enter a fortnight of hell.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- Get it up!- I'm trying... - Get it up, Flynn!
0:00:24 > 0:00:25SCREAMING
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Each and every one of them believes they have
0:00:27 > 0:00:29what it takes to make it to the end.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31I've never quit anything in my life.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Whatever comes my way, I will get through it.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35I don't ever give up.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Standing in their way are former operatives
0:00:38 > 0:00:40from the South Korean Special Forces...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42What is going on here? Get up!
0:00:42 > 0:00:45You want to quit?
0:00:45 > 0:00:47..the US Army's Green Berets...
0:00:47 > 0:00:50If you throw up, stick it in your pocket and keep going.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Argh!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54..Grom from Poland...
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Do not move, do not talk.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Two minutes, prepare your bergen.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03..the South African Special Forces...
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Get up! I want it done now!
0:01:06 > 0:01:09..the Australian SAS...
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Yes, yes, yes. Come on, come on, come on.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15..and, GIGN from France.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17- Fighting stance!- ALL:- Argh!
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Living under a strict military regime,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25our recruits will experience the unique selection methods
0:01:25 > 0:01:27to understand the characteristics and skills required
0:01:27 > 0:01:31to become a member of one of these elite units.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32Go!
0:01:32 > 0:01:34It's happening.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Who has the inner strength to make it to the end...
0:01:37 > 0:01:39We're not going to stop until somebody quits.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42..and to win Special Forces - Ultimate Hell Week.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45From this point on, you're in my world!
0:01:53 > 0:01:54This is tough!
0:01:54 > 0:01:5714 recruits were put through a brutal examination
0:01:57 > 0:01:59with a veteran of the South Korean UDT.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Forced to spend hours in the freezing Atlantic Ocean...
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Suck it up!
0:02:08 > 0:02:10..the injured Burch was the first to leave...
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Burch, I quit.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15..closely followed by Flynn.
0:02:15 > 0:02:16I hit a wall.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19'The instructor pushed live wire Ferguson to his limit...'
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Ferguson, what happened, man?
0:02:23 > 0:02:25'..and Palama couldn't take any more...'
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- I want to quit, Tana. - Go.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32..before the strict regime proved too much for Blowes.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35I'm out, you can stick it up your arse.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03It's the penultimate stage of our Special Forces selection course.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Just nine recruits remain
0:03:05 > 0:03:09and as they await the arrival of their next instructors,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11each one knows the smallest mistake now
0:03:11 > 0:03:14could cost them a place in the final.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18There's only a few of us left, and it's crunch time.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26I'm quite amazed that my body is still going.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28I just want to make it to the end now.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Can everybody hear me?
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- Can you hear me?- ALL: Yes, sir!
0:04:17 > 0:04:20So, this is Toto, and I am Tana.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21We come from
0:04:21 > 0:04:25the Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27In short, GIGN.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34The GIGN are an elite law enforcement arm
0:04:34 > 0:04:38of the French National Police, specialising in covert surveillance,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41hostage rescue and the targeting of organised crime.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48Formed in the wake of the massacre at the Munich Olympics in 1972,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52the GIGN are deployed inside and outside French borders.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55With over 1,800 missions to their name,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57they have developed into one of the most effective
0:04:57 > 0:05:00counterterrorism units in the world.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04When I tell you fighting position,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07I want all of you to take whatever fighting position you want.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- Fighting stance!- ALL:- Argh!
0:05:16 > 0:05:19I'm sorry, but some of them just aren't scary, are they?
0:05:19 > 0:05:22We expect you to be full power all the time,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25to give everything you have.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- Qui veut-etre le leader?- Who wants to be the leader right now?
0:05:31 > 0:05:32Who wants to be the leader right now?
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- HE CLAPS - Come on, wake up, guys!
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Vous, hesitation.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48You are the leader. What's your name?
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Allan!
0:05:50 > 0:05:54A doctor from Cumbria, Allan is used to being the boss.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59I've got my own practice. As GP partner I've got 12, 15 employees.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02But here in South Africa, his leadership style
0:06:02 > 0:06:03hasn't always been popular.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06What we'll do then, it's 13 minutes past, we'll give each other
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- two more minutes. - He's stressing me out,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- I can't deal with it.- I can't deal with it either.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15He told us to, "man up" earlier, and that...
0:06:15 > 0:06:19And in peer evaluation during our South Korean UDT phase,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22his fellow recruits didn't hold back.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Who do you most not like on your team?
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- Allan.- Allan.- Allan.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- Allan.- I pick Allan. - Allan.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Parrott isn't even trying to contain the fact
0:06:32 > 0:06:36that she's laughing at Allan being chosen as captain, again.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- Leader.- Team leader, come here.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42This is Merlot,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45your French friend! You have to protect it,
0:06:45 > 0:06:46- to carry it.- You.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- You take Merlot.- Come on, get there!
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Allan. These two bags are team bags.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59They must be with you all the time, too.
0:06:59 > 0:07:00Take the bags, quickly.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Our recruits are already carrying 20kg in their own packs,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07they've now been lumbered with a 5kg rock
0:07:07 > 0:07:10and two extra bergens, weighing 17kg each.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- Let's go.- Allez!- Follow us. Come on.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16Now, I've met so many different Special Forces experts
0:07:16 > 0:07:18during this process, but what can you tell me
0:07:18 > 0:07:20about you guys and the GIGN?
0:07:20 > 0:07:25GIGN is different from the others, because it is not really military.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27OK? We are police-based.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Usually, you spend one year to train,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33to attend the selection.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35La groupe est la tete.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Fitness is part of it, true, but this is not important.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41The group and the brain, these are the two elements more important.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45As a storm threatens overhead...
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on!
0:07:49 > 0:07:53..our recruits have just 48 hours to prove to Tana and Toto
0:07:53 > 0:07:56they deserve a place in the final. To size them up,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Tana and Toto have selected an exercise
0:07:59 > 0:08:02straight from day one of GIGN selection.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Recruits must move in tactical formation
0:08:07 > 0:08:10over three square kilometres of rugged scrubland.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Tana and Toto will set tasks to test leadership
0:08:13 > 0:08:15and teamwork.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Helicopter! Helicopter!
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Come on, come on!
0:08:20 > 0:08:21Seven seconds! Go, quickly, quickly!
0:08:21 > 0:08:24First up, they're ordered to commando crawl
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- over the rocky ground. - Come on, get on the ground!
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- On the ground.- And, within minutes, recruit Mok is struggling.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- You're injured?- My knees, yeah.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34OK, stop.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- Come here.- Both my knees... It's OK, though. I can carry on.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Personal trainer Mok is a woman on a mission.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47I'm here to break the stereotype that vegans are weak and skinny,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49and are all hippies!
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Despite struggling under the former South African Special Forces,
0:08:54 > 0:08:59and the ex-Polish Grom operative, Mok is still here ten days in.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Everyone here is super fit.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04We've got marathon runners, we've got tri-athletes,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- we've got ultra-marathon runners. - I don't do any of that!
0:09:07 > 0:09:10She's hoping sheer determination will get her to the final.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12There hasn't been a point yet where
0:09:12 > 0:09:16I've thought about giving up, at all.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Guys, what did we say about teamwork?
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Mok has a problem with her knees,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24and she's been dragging Merlot for the last 600 metres!
0:09:24 > 0:09:27This is not the teamwork!
0:09:27 > 0:09:28Do you understand?
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Stop thinking only about yourself!
0:09:38 > 0:09:40- Come on, team leader?- Come here, team leader, Allan!
0:09:40 > 0:09:41Come here.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43On the knees. Here's your mission.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47You take this log, you organise your team and you follow Toto.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51You don't forget Merlot, you don't forget the two team bags.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55During brutal marching, GIGN instructors continually
0:09:55 > 0:10:00set new tasks to observe how a leader reacts under pressure.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Allan's new orders are to transport a 100-kilo log
0:10:04 > 0:10:08half a kilometre, to a water-filled ditch.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11And he must issue them quickly and decisively.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- Merlot?- Where is he?- Merlot, here.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- Where?- There!- OK.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Right, you're rear, watching the rear.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- OK? Defence at the rear, that's your job.- OK.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- Carry Merlot.- Allan, Allan.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24That doesn't even make sense, you need to be carrying the log.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26No, you're going to be at the back just watching.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29You're carrying Merlot. You can help out if somebody's having problems with the log.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32No, no, no. He needs to carry the log. If anything, I carry Merlot.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- I'm at the back.- You sure?- Yeah. - OK, fine.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- He needs to be carrying the log. - OK.- Quickly, guys, quickly.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- I can do both...- Or I... One minute. - He's doing both!
0:10:40 > 0:10:42End of discussion. He's doing both.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Just one leader.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Durance, Durance! You're there, on the log. OK?
0:10:47 > 0:10:51Wait. Sparks, Durance, me, and...
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Where's Parrott?
0:10:54 > 0:10:55After over a minute,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Allan has still not taken control and mobilised his team.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02So, a bit of tactics. You give your orders, you don't need to shout.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- You go, "Hey, guys, can you hear me?"- Yes.- OK?
0:11:04 > 0:11:07"This is what we are going to do, do, do, we are going to do this,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09"and this, and this. Everybody understand?"
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- Up.- OK, listen up, everyone, listen up.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15We're going to get the log across the hole, like a bridge.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18One, two, three...
0:11:22 > 0:11:24OK, let's go.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31A bit of a pack horse situation going on.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34I'm carrying one of the team bags as well as my own bag.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40The lightest recruit at just 57kg,
0:11:40 > 0:11:44mother of two Donoghue has repeatedly proved her resilience.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47I'm very good, strength-wise. Obviously, I don't look it.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50The big surprise is probably Donoghue.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51Donoghue has a fire within her.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54After a tough time under Ken from South Korea...
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Donoghue, you don't look too good, do you want to quit?
0:11:56 > 0:11:58..the firefighter from Leeds dug deep...
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- First one in.- First one!
0:12:00 > 0:12:01..and came out on top.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Her secret weapon is her mental strength.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Joshua was my second child.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09He was quite a big child, and I had to have a C-section.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13And the anaesthetic failed, so I was laid on the table being cut open,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15and I could feel everything.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17It's mind over matter.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Parrott, Donoghue, and Thompson,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25you're in the hole. We're going to carry that log that way,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27we're going to cross the river.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Drop it, drop it. Yes.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- Yes! Is good for me. Yes, is good for me. OK?- That's better!
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- Good job, Allan.- After a shaky start, Allan got the job done.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41I'm pleased, actually.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44I think he needed it. You know, I've always said he's a really good guy,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48he just got himself a little bit overexcited the other day.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51So... So far, so good. He's doing really well.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54So, now, change leader.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Yes. A new leader?
0:12:56 > 0:12:57Sparks, come here.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00You've been rotating the leadership role, why's that?
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Yes, it's easy to just follow the flow.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07But, it's more difficult to organise the flow. Does it make sense?
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Mm-hm. What is the reason behind the physical element of what
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- it is?- To put them in the red zone.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Because, as soon as you're in the red zone, it's physiology.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- Your heart is pumping.- Right.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Your blood flow is different. It acts on your brain,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24and then your brain has to take over and say, "Cool down, cool down,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26"think straight, think straight."
0:13:26 > 0:13:29The change in leadership, it changes dynamics to the group
0:13:29 > 0:13:32really, really quickly. And...
0:13:32 > 0:13:35There's going to be some people who haven't been leaders yet.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37It's going to be really interesting to see how they work out.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40It's the first time I've ever officially been made a leader, yeah.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43I feel fine about that, I'm very comfortable. I, erm...
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- I enjoy doing this stuff. - Team leader, let's go!
0:13:46 > 0:13:47OK, guys. Come in, come in, come in.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51We're going to take these tyres, two per tyre, over to that location.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55And every move rookie leader Sparks makes will now be assessed
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- by Tana and Toto. - You see where Toto is?
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- Go now, let's go.- Durance and Mok on the first one,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Thomson and Downers on the second one...
0:14:04 > 0:14:06..Allan and me on the third.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08And there's one extra person, is that OK?
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Wait a second, what about these two bags?
0:14:11 > 0:14:12- Yeah.- Ah-ha!
0:14:12 > 0:14:14In his haste to get moving,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Sparks nearly forgets the two extra bergens.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19That's nonsense, that would make sense -
0:14:19 > 0:14:21- put it on my back. - It's fine, it's OK.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- But he's got Merlot as well. - Are you OK?- Let's go, let's go.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30Recruit Onyiuke is now carrying an additional 34kg.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32With a 5kg rock already in his pack,
0:14:32 > 0:14:36the 28-year-old project manager is now carrying
0:14:36 > 0:14:40nearly 60kg in total, two thirds of his own body weight.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43The one on my back isn't strapped in.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46It keeps leaning to the left.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50But it's doable, I can do it.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55People need to try and not be a hero and take too much.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Switch their minds on, and think about what they're doing,
0:14:58 > 0:15:02rather than trying to carry ten things at once.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Strength athlete Downham's morale took a big hit under Rafal,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08a former member of Polish Grom...
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Probably the lowest of the low.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15..when a fellow recruit was sent home for assisting her.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- I dismiss you.- I suppose I feel partly responsible.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23But a strong performance under Terry from the US Green Berets
0:15:23 > 0:15:24got her back on track.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Downham's physical ability is a key part of her confidence.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32I sometimes feel like I've got one up on a lot of women.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35I'm always about what my body can do,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38rather than what my body looks like.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- Just in here?- Yes, yes.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43One, two, three, down. OK.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46For the final task,
0:15:46 > 0:15:51all nine recruits and 11 bergens, totalling nearly 220kg, must
0:15:51 > 0:15:54squeeze through two lengths of buried concrete pipe.
0:15:55 > 0:16:02GIGN units often perform tactical assaults on ships and planes,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05so a recruit who cannot handle confined spaces
0:16:05 > 0:16:07will not make the grade.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I'm claustrophobic, so being in small spaces like that scares me.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Adventurous Sparks is an accomplished ocean rower.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Rowed across the Indian Ocean in 71 days.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24First-ever unsupported row from Australia to the Seychelles.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Four world records.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29He's conquered two of the world's oceans, but, so far,
0:16:29 > 0:16:32the claustrophobic has avoided facing his biggest fear.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- So, you know that box?- Yeah.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37I've basically got padlocks in that.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40I wouldn't have got in. I would not...
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- I would have been on the plane home. - For Sparks to complete the exercise,
0:16:43 > 0:16:45he's got no choice but to go through the pipes.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Good, you're doing very good. You're nearly there.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- Two...one metre. Keep going, keep going.- Very good, very good.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Very good.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- Very good.- You're there, you're there.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58You're free now! You're free. Let's go.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01100% focused on overcoming his fear,
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Sparks gets himself through both pipes as fast as possible.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Look at me, look at me. Just look in front, you're doing good,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10you're doing very good. You're nearly there!
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- Good job.- Thanks.- Better outside?
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- Yeah.- Go back to your job.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Don't forget you have your team behind you.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Just crawling through tunnels there, with bergens.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Bit of water and that.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34I'm a little bit claustrophobic, but that wasn't too bad.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37Come on, allez!
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Go, go, go, go, go!
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Sparks, help your team, help your team-mates.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Gather the bags. There's always something to do,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46make everybody's life easier.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Don't stand doing nothing.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50OK, I've got it from here. I've got it from here.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Disciplined by Tana for resting, Sparks gets back to his team.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58He joins them in hauling the remaining bergens
0:17:58 > 0:18:01through the obstacle.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on!
0:18:07 > 0:18:12After three and a half hours, the brutal marching is over.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- Thanks.- Bodies are patched up... - Allan.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18..and food parcels are distributed.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Our recruits haven't eaten since 6am,
0:18:21 > 0:18:25and will have burned up to 3,500 calories already today.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Chicken breast in brine.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30May stay there, in the tin!
0:18:30 > 0:18:34But during GIGN selection, to test the resolve of the candidates,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36only simple rations are provided.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38I'm munching my lunch.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- And Onyiuke is looking for bad guys! - Yeah.- But...
0:18:46 > 0:18:49There's not a huge amount in the ration pack to eat, so...
0:18:49 > 0:18:54I'm going to eat this biscuit, then let Onyiuke get his lunch.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Take over.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58I look forward to it.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00I'm starving.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Although the GIGN value physical fitness,
0:19:04 > 0:19:06a huge part of their training is psychological...
0:19:08 > 0:19:12..as our recruits are about to find out, with their next exercise.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Wow. This looks pretty spectacular.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Lashed on top of a 20-metre rock wall in a disused quarry,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26the plank is an eight-inch-wide steel girder.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30To complete the next exercise, our recruits must walk to the end,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32and perform tasks when instructed.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36We have so many missions where heights are involved.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Like, when you're a sniper,
0:19:38 > 0:19:39you get on top of a high building,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41and then you have to do your mission.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44If you're afraid of heights,
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- it's useless.- So, it's that simple, if you can't do this,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50- then you're not going to make it? - Yes, it's that simple.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52And with the final so close,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55all recruits know that the smallest mistake could send them home.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58I'm up first. I'm not particularly scared of heights, but I don't think
0:19:58 > 0:20:00it will be as simple as just walking along the plank.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I'm sure they've got some other surprises for me.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06When the GIGN run the plank phase of selection,
0:20:06 > 0:20:08recruits are strapped into a safety line.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10If they fall, they fail the task.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16First to face the plank is Mok.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23OK, Mok.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35Stop, Mok.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Stop.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42Mok.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45The end of the plank, is it possible for you?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- Yeah.- OK.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49As you want.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55I don't think she'll go further.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- She didn't give up.- She was...
0:21:08 > 0:21:10It was decent.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13One of the GIGNs seems to have a little black notebook.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16We all want to complete the test and make sure
0:21:16 > 0:21:18he writes good things in his little black book.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Next, it's 24-year-old postgraduate Parrott.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Can you touch your shoes?
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- OK. Up.- What's he going to ask her to do now, a backflip?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- OK, come on.- Though hesitant,
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Parrott becomes the first recruit to complete the plank.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Now it's the turn of Durance.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51I'm all right, but I don't know
0:21:51 > 0:21:53how I'm going to perform on this one,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56because I've never done anything like this before.
0:21:56 > 0:22:01GP Allan understands how Durance could be at a disadvantage.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Hearing's very much connected with balance,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06so it will be really interesting to see how he does
0:22:06 > 0:22:09on what looks like quite a narrow beam.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19You see, he's there. He's got a good pace going.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- He's moving quite quickly now. - Yes, he's doing good.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24- That's pretty straight, no?- Yeah, yeah, he's doing good.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- Oh, there he goes.- Very good.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- He did very good.- I wanted to get to the end at least.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34- Yeah, and you did.- Yeah.- You did. - I just lost my balance.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Next up is Sparks...
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- Turn around.- ..who was singled out during the brutal marching.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- Yes, very good. - This time, he makes the grade...
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Where is the car?
0:22:46 > 0:22:48At two o'clock, at the bottom.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50..as does firefighter Donoghue.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55The sixth recruit up is extreme sports enthusiast Thomson.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Are you jumping...canopies?
0:22:58 > 0:23:00I jump off cliffs into deep water.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02So, it's easy for you?
0:23:02 > 0:23:04I hope so.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Thomson has consistently ranked as a top female recruit.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12She's a multi-talented athlete...
0:23:12 > 0:23:14I trained him dance when I was younger.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Then, in 2011, I won a European gold in sports karate.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22I finished ninth in the UK Pro Surf Tour last year.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25..and has enjoyed the process so far, despite the hardship.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I love being in vain. Physical pain motivates me.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30My aim is always to finish on top, always.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33That's all I ever want.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34Thomson is an absolute legend.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37You could put her up to anything and she would have a go.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39She'd probably do it without a harness.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Very good.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- She's on it.- Whoa, look at her go.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- Look at her, she looks really comfortable.- She's flying.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53I think that's the quickest we've had anyone get to the edge, right?
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- Yes.- Touch your shoes, please.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00- Easy for you.- Look at this.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03She's a freaking ballet dancer, isn't she?
0:24:03 > 0:24:05- Nothing to say.- She's got this, right?
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Yes, she's got it.- Is that her done?
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Yeah. Yeah.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15I surf and snowboard, so I'm kind of used to being stood
0:24:15 > 0:24:17in that side-on position in movement.
0:24:17 > 0:24:18So, I'm kind of glad it was wobbling.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20I think that played to my favour.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24The standout performer so far, Thomson made the plank look easy.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26That's exactly how you were on that.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- Just ran out.- Just running out.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36But those following her are not finding it quite so simple.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Yes, you...
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Come back.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Now you turn.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47He's nearly at the end.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Go on, Allan, stay there, stay there.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51Turn around - the left, Allan.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Yes. Very good.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- Relax.- The final recruit is Onyiuke.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Onyiuke's last and he's been consistently strong, hasn't he?
0:25:01 > 0:25:03How is he with heights, has he ever spoken about them?
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Very scared. He's very scared.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09It's a tough one. I can feel the tension building on the inside.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I just feel, like, nervous.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Karate blackbelt Onyiuke is the most
0:25:14 > 0:25:17physically powerful recruit on the course.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Though he struggles in water, he overcame his fear under Kim,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24a veteran of the South Korean UDT.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27But, so far, no Special Forces expert
0:25:27 > 0:25:29has exposed his one big weakness.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31I'm really afraid of heights, so anything to do with
0:25:31 > 0:25:35really high places, I sort of like... My legs turn to jelly
0:25:35 > 0:25:37and I get really shaky.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38Step here, please.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41OK.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45As the last recruit, Onyiuke must contend with failing light.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Focusing on the eight-inch-wide beam will be even tougher.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52He just took a massive breath.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- You turn around on the left.- OK.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06- OK.- Go, turn and you keep on at the end.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Well, he's definitely battling some demons.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Come with me.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Touch your shoes.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Yes. Very good.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Relax.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Relax.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37OK.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Very good. Come up.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- Good job.- It was very scary.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54My legs couldn't stop shaking.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Like every time I sort of turned, I...
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Yeah, it was just very scary.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03When I turned to the side, I couldn't see the bar,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07I couldn't see anything. I just had to rely on my instinct, really.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09I'm just glad it's over, that's all.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11How were you able to get through it then,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13if you have such a real issue with heights?
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Well, in karate, we have like a stance called, "kiba-dachi."
0:27:16 > 0:27:18It's like a horse straddle stance.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21I just tried to focus on "OK, like, I'm not here,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24"I'm like at the dojo, doing that," all the way through and back again.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27And that's what I just literally had in my mind all the way through.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Just like, "You're not here, keep calm, breathe,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- "and just get the work, get the task done."- Sure.- Yeah, and somehow,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35miraculously, I was able to complete it without falling off.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- That's great. I'm really happy for you. Well done, man.- Thank you.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40As the recruits head back to base camp,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Tana and Toto need to discuss their efforts so far
0:27:43 > 0:27:47and who doesn't deserve a place in the final.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Who would you say, at the moment, is doing really well for you?
0:27:50 > 0:27:51- For me, Onyiuke.- Yeah.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Very good.- He's actually scared of heights.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55- Yes.- He did brilliantly up there.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58When he came back,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- he had...- He was crying.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- Yes.- Thomson was way too easy.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Not even funny. Him, you could see that
0:28:06 > 0:28:08- it really got him.- And he found that control?
0:28:08 > 0:28:10- Yes.- That's exactly what we're looking for.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12- Yeah.- And how about the bottom two? Because, I mean,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15they're the two people I imagine you'll be looking at quite closely.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17For me...
0:28:20 > 0:28:21Mok, I don't know.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24- She doesn't really seem focused. - I thought you might have said that
0:28:24 > 0:28:26about Mok, just based on how she performed here,
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Because she was one of the only people that actually came off.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Now, is there anybody else that is standing out to you
0:28:31 > 0:28:33as being at the bottom of your list right now?
0:28:33 > 0:28:38- J'ai vu Sparks.- On the pipe, he didn't think he went through,
0:28:38 > 0:28:40then he took his bag and relaxed
0:28:40 > 0:28:42while his team-mates were still in the water.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44So, he wasn't enough for the team?
0:28:44 > 0:28:48Yes, he wasn't. But, this afternoon, he came back.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50So, if Sparks has progressed, who hasn't?
0:28:50 > 0:28:53He did good, but I don't know if Allan has the strength.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- I don't know if he is resistant enough.- Right.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02After a full 14-hour day of our GIGN training,
0:29:02 > 0:29:06the recruits are trying to catch up on some much needed sleep
0:29:06 > 0:29:08when they are rudely awoken.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16- Attention.- Attention.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Grab your bergen.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32We'll come back for you.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41What's going on, then, guys?
0:29:43 > 0:29:44They've just taken Mok.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Mok.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Mok.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Unfortunately, you're going home.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Some of the people show more will then you.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- You understand?- Yes, sir.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- Thank you, Mok.- Thank you, Mok.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13- Thank you, sir. - Just like GIGN selection,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16she's been pulled from the course with no warning.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28I've absolutely had an amazing time.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30Super grateful that I've been able to get this far
0:30:30 > 0:30:32and experience as much as I have.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36As the numbers get smaller and smaller,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38they are able to watch us as individuals a bit more.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39Argh!
0:30:39 > 0:30:41I kind of saw it coming,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43but definitely proud of what I've achieved.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49With Mok gone, there's no rest for the remaining recruits.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- Attention!- Attention!
0:30:52 > 0:30:55In five minutes, I want your bergens ready, everything waterproofed, OK,
0:30:55 > 0:30:59ready for a field task. Does anyone not understand?
0:31:00 > 0:31:01You can relay back to him.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05It needs to be a blur. You really need a sense of urgency now, OK?
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Mok's been taken.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13So, we don't know what's happened to her, which is pretty horrible.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17- Got three minutes.- Mok's bed, can we just sort that out?
0:31:20 > 0:31:23OK, guys, fall in.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28OK, bergens lined up nice and neatly. Take a seat.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32This is your first mission as a GIGN member.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37You will be the next team leader.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44Life has taught 35-year-old Durance to be resourceful.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46Of course, I was deaf,
0:31:46 > 0:31:48school for me was quite hard.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52I was lucky I had the right friends to help me and obviously I used to
0:31:52 > 0:31:54copy their notes all the time.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Though he has struggled with communication,
0:31:56 > 0:31:58he's a fierce competitor...
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- Don't break my foot, Durance! - ..with a point to prove.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04I want to inspire all disabled people out there.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07You can achieve anything.
0:32:08 > 0:32:14Last Monday, in Cape Town, a French diplomat had his daughter kidnapped.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16What don't you understand?
0:32:16 > 0:32:19- I'm talking too fast?- I heard something about French diplomat.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Yes. His daughter, his daughter.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- His daughter? Thank you very much. - Yes. Daughter...
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Yes.
0:32:27 > 0:32:28- ..was kidnapped.- ..was kidnapped.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33Yes. Her name is Isabel Duplus.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37The perpetrators will have a meeting tonight.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42Position yourself at strategic locations in order to observe,
0:32:42 > 0:32:46listen and report everything.
0:32:47 > 0:32:48Rock and roll.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Our recruits have been thrown
0:32:51 > 0:32:54straight into a simulated GIGN operation.
0:32:58 > 0:32:59It's a two-part mission.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Phase one is surveillance,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05and phase two is hostage rescue.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09For phase one, recruits must gather intelligence on a criminal group
0:33:09 > 0:33:11who are holding a woman hostage.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14They've split into four two-man teams
0:33:14 > 0:33:17and will deploy to different observation points
0:33:17 > 0:33:20to gather intelligence.
0:33:20 > 0:33:21As mission leader,
0:33:21 > 0:33:25Durance must have all eight recruits at the RV point by the gate
0:33:25 > 0:33:30at 6am sharp. For the 35-year-old horticultural engineer,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33operating at night presents a unique challenge.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Even in the dark, there's always going to be an issue for me.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38No matter what. So, yeah,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40it limits the lip-reading
0:33:40 > 0:33:43so, I have to be really, really close.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52The four teams roll out to take up their covert positions.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Tana and Toto will play the role of the criminal gangs
0:33:55 > 0:33:57throughout the night.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00They will be on patrol and if any recruit gives up their position,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02the mission will be failed.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Basically, you have to keep watch all night and our aim is to...
0:34:08 > 0:34:10- Go, go, go!- ..record everything we see.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Be careful, be careful.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26Recruit Parrott has a history with officer training with the TA,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30but left feeling she had unfinished business.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32I have previous military experience.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35I did really enjoy it, but it wasn't the right time for me.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39So now, you know, I've got my uni out the way,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42I feel like I can really give this everything.
0:34:42 > 0:34:43Under US Green Beret Terry,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46she proved she could handle sleep deprivation.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49And though she is small, she's got plenty of fight.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Nice, Parrott, let's go, girl.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05We are in OP-4, and we have to monitor this part of the road
0:35:05 > 0:35:08and the gate for any activity.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12Any pedestrians, any vehicles, any security.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17We have to lock it down, so that at the point of extraction,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20we've got as much information as possible.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27Step-by-step, they will start to get tired.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30But we're going to make a lot of movements for them to adjust,
0:35:30 > 0:35:33get tired and then they have to wake up.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37The goal of this training is to test their sleep deprivation and to test
0:35:37 > 0:35:41their ability to analyse the situation and get intelligence.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44All these scenarios are based on reality.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47You spend one night observing an Op point
0:35:47 > 0:35:49and you assault it in the morning.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Our recruits have been in position for over three hours.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00It's been raining heavily since midnight.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04The strong winds have also dropped the temperature to just above zero
0:36:04 > 0:36:08and still, our recruits have seen little action.
0:36:11 > 0:36:17It's really windy. The ground is wet and I feel very, very cold.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Honestly, I think I may have snoozed off once or twice already.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Just keep that between you and I!
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Literally, there was like one second,
0:36:28 > 0:36:32because I've been checking my watch every, like, couple of minutes,
0:36:32 > 0:36:34and my eyes just went out of focus, just...
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Shh, shh, shh.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44There's a man with a gun.
0:36:44 > 0:36:45And it's a big gun.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50After nearly four hours of inactivity,
0:36:50 > 0:36:52our sleep-deprived recruits must now focus
0:36:52 > 0:36:54and gather valuable intelligence.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02He wants the one million dollars.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- One million.- Where is she from? Is she French?- Yes. Doesn't matter.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07He wants to kill her.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40We have so far got chatting, right out here,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44having a conversation.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Not sure what they were saying, but...
0:37:57 > 0:38:01They've spent nearly six hours out in the elements.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05Now leader Durance has 12 minutes to gather his teams
0:38:05 > 0:38:10and make the RV point, ensuring they all avoid detection.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14We're going to meet at the gate for our extraction point at six -
0:38:14 > 0:38:160600 hours.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21Two have gone.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24But en route, Team Three's Parrott spots a problem.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29I saw two of our team members run past.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32Suffering from a lack of sleep,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Team Four's Sparks and Donoghue are heading in the wrong direction,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38away from the RV point,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40and they run straight into Tana and Toto.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44Go down. On your place. Allez, go, go, go, go.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Everyone. Let's do it.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Sparks and Donoghue catch up with the others
0:38:52 > 0:38:54and all eight recruits arrive at the RV point,
0:38:54 > 0:38:56but they are two minutes late.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03You take your team to your base camp.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05- Your barrack.- My base camp?
0:39:05 > 0:39:07- You mean...- The barrack, where you sleep.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09The barracks, yeah.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11After a chaotic end to the mission,
0:39:11 > 0:39:13all eight recruits head back to the block.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18They collate their intelligence and await further instructions
0:39:18 > 0:39:20from Tana and Toto.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24There was a big mistake from team number four, who,
0:39:24 > 0:39:27on its own initiative,
0:39:27 > 0:39:28gave up its position.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32So, we stopped them, asking what was going on.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34The answer was interesting, because they say, "Yeah,
0:39:34 > 0:39:37"we thought our team leader was compromised and we decided to move."
0:39:37 > 0:39:41We made it clear that your rally point is the gate.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44So, that was a mistake.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55- Attention!- Attention.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Team leader. What do you have for us?
0:40:05 > 0:40:07Two armed men, with guns,
0:40:07 > 0:40:12and one man raised his torch and blinked it three times.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15OK, OK, stop. Give me this.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Give me everything.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- Super retour.- Yes.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Very good data collection guys, great, OK?
0:40:24 > 0:40:26Par contre, la mission est foiree.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29But the mission is as failed.
0:40:32 > 0:40:33Do you know why?
0:40:36 > 0:40:38- Number Four.- Number Four.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41You must have left your location around 0555,
0:40:41 > 0:40:44because it was nearly six o'clock when we saw you.
0:40:44 > 0:40:49In one way, you got lucky, because we stopped them.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52If we don't stop them, suddenly, it's a huge mess,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55because you go there and say, "Oh, where are they?
0:40:55 > 0:40:57"Where are they?"
0:40:57 > 0:41:00So, should we have stayed where we were?
0:41:01 > 0:41:02Yes.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Team Four must now take responsibility for the failure
0:41:05 > 0:41:09- of phase one of the mission.- A bit of confusion towards the end.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12We made the decision, but it was obviously the wrong decision.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14I don't feel like I've got anything to prove.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17I'd go, you know, as soon as they told me to go,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19and I would put my hands up and say I tried my best.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21So, I'm not worried about any of that.
0:41:21 > 0:41:22I don't think anyone's safe.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26Our recruits have now not slept for over 27 hours,
0:41:26 > 0:41:27but they are given no time to rest.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29The sleep deprivation,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32I think that might affect me significantly.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35I'm really worn out. I've got, like, a slight headache as well.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37Erm, I really can't think straight.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39So, I think that might affect me today,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41hopefully not too much but then, we'll see.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Despite failing the surveillance phase of the mission,
0:41:46 > 0:41:48it's straight into phase two -
0:41:48 > 0:41:51a tactical assault and hostage rescue operation.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53One, two, safe.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57But first, they must undertake weapons training.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04Be careful. Be careful.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Slowly.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Now, with all the skills that you're teaching our recruits this morning,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13what are you hoping that they take from this session?
0:42:13 > 0:42:16First of all, as you just mentioned, we just have one morning,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19so we're trying to be very fast, but still very safe.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21What could actually go wrong?
0:42:21 > 0:42:23First of all, shoot each other.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28Second point, shoot the hostage, which is a failure.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Third point, forget a team member.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33These are, right now, the three key points of this afternoon.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36This is something that you've always done, and I imagine in the GIGN,
0:42:36 > 0:42:37when you did this for the first time,
0:42:37 > 0:42:40- it must have been really difficult. - Yes, it's hard, it's true.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42But this is why you want to join this unit,
0:42:42 > 0:42:43for this kind of adrenaline.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45Do you think that doing things this way round,
0:42:45 > 0:42:47giving them a night of sleep deprivation
0:42:47 > 0:42:50and then something this difficult and that requires this much focus,
0:42:50 > 0:42:54- will separate the weak from the strong?- Yes, without any hesitation.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58A GIGN candidate would have at least one year of tactical weapons
0:42:58 > 0:43:01training before they are put on active duty.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Our recruits have had just two hours.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10And now it's time to find out just how much they've learned.
0:43:15 > 0:43:16Can you talk me through the exercise?
0:43:16 > 0:43:18Yes, we're going to do that. So...
0:43:20 > 0:43:22Led by Toto,
0:43:22 > 0:43:25our recruits will conduct an armed search of a five-roomed building.
0:43:25 > 0:43:30They will have targets, they will engage them, and they will hit them.
0:43:30 > 0:43:32OK.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35This is why we are doing this, to test how well they will react.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37Go.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39Rooms one to four each hold paper targets.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42Once the target is shot, the room is cleared...
0:43:43 > 0:43:46..and our recruits can continue their search.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52In the fifth and final room, they'll find the hostage,
0:43:52 > 0:43:56but a hostile gunman will be lying in wait.
0:43:56 > 0:43:58SCREAMING
0:43:58 > 0:44:01- Shoot. Down, hostile.- OK.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03This was different, because you had someone shooting back.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06- Yes.- You don't expect a real target. - Mm.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08Toto will enter first,
0:44:08 > 0:44:10he will go down.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13So, that'll be the place to see how they react.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15Yeah. We have a hostage over here.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18How are they supposed to protect the hostage?
0:44:18 > 0:44:19Take the balaclava off.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22Who are you? What's your name? Then check her out quickly.
0:44:22 > 0:44:23If she's fine...
0:44:23 > 0:44:25- HE WHISTLES - ..outside.- And out. Awesome.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27All right, well, that's going to be difficult
0:44:27 > 0:44:30and somebody's going to get shot, that's for sure.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34Right on cue, Mother Nature adds her own slice of drama.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37The storm that's been building since yesterday morning
0:44:37 > 0:44:39kicks in with full force.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46Now running on 30 straight hours with no sleep,
0:44:46 > 0:44:49our recruits have been split into two teams.
0:44:50 > 0:44:52First to take on the kill house
0:44:52 > 0:44:56are Parrott, Sparks, Onyiuke and Downham.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00- It's really not nice. - Conditions are far from ideal.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02It is absolutely tipping it down with rain.
0:45:02 > 0:45:05Body armour and facemasks will protect our recruits
0:45:05 > 0:45:08from plastic rounds travelling at 40 metres per second.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11After a poor performance in the overnight observation,
0:45:11 > 0:45:14Sparks has been given the opportunity to prove himself.
0:45:14 > 0:45:17He's team leader and second-in-command to Toto.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20I was made leader of the group for this exercise.
0:45:20 > 0:45:22Looking forward to it. Not the greatest conditions,
0:45:22 > 0:45:25but we'll do our best. Hopefully we'll be able to deliver the goods.
0:45:25 > 0:45:28I'm not feeling too nervous, but I know as soon as we get inside,
0:45:28 > 0:45:30I will be feeling nervous.
0:45:30 > 0:45:35Sparks, Parrott, Downham and Onyiuke begin their assault.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37Go!
0:45:37 > 0:45:38Onyiuke is on point.
0:45:41 > 0:45:44The targets are down, and room one is clear.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50- Clear!- Splitting the team,
0:45:50 > 0:45:53they efficiently clear rooms two and three...
0:45:56 > 0:45:59..and the fourth follows quickly.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02Now, room five.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05- Hey!- Hey!- Down!- Down!
0:46:05 > 0:46:09- It's an aggressive entrance, and the hostile is down.- Hostile!
0:46:09 > 0:46:11- With Toto hit, Sparks is in charge...- What's your name?
0:46:11 > 0:46:14..but Downham is the first to the hostage.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Are you all right? Let's go, let's go, let's go.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20Sparks has the hostage in his possession.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22- Move!- Come on!
0:46:22 > 0:46:24OK, hostage evacuation!
0:46:26 > 0:46:28Despite Toto's cries for assistance,
0:46:28 > 0:46:31Onyiuke nearly leaves the house without him.
0:46:31 > 0:46:35Hey, it's me! Go, go, go!
0:46:35 > 0:46:39Team One has Toto and the hostage to safety in two minutes.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43Come on, come on!
0:46:43 > 0:46:47With the storm still raging, it's the turn of Durance, Thomson,
0:46:47 > 0:46:50Allan and Donoghue to take on the hostage rescue.
0:46:50 > 0:46:53- Get the equipment - all the armour first.- So, Toto's the team leader,
0:46:53 > 0:46:56if something happens to him, then I take over as team leader.
0:46:56 > 0:46:59I'm just nervous about if the situation gets out of control,
0:46:59 > 0:47:03we're not really sure what's in there, how many people are in there,
0:47:03 > 0:47:05what kind of weapons are in there, etc.
0:47:05 > 0:47:09So, anything could happen, so I think that's where the nerves are.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11Sleep deprivation, yeah,
0:47:11 > 0:47:13it's affecting our ability to concentrate.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15All the training we had this morning
0:47:15 > 0:47:17we have to now put into action.
0:47:17 > 0:47:20Yeah, feeling a bit overtired, so that includes me, yeah.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23I've been up for a while, now.
0:47:23 > 0:47:26So, yeah, I just hope my brain will be working inside.
0:47:30 > 0:47:32Team Two approach the house.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40Thomson is first in through the door.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42- Clear, Toto, clear.- Go!
0:47:45 > 0:47:47- Rooms one and two are clear... - Clear, clear!
0:47:53 > 0:47:56..and three and four are down.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59Now they're outside the room holding the hostage and her captor.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01- Hey! Hey!- Hey!
0:48:01 > 0:48:03Toto's hit, but the recruits back out of the room.
0:48:03 > 0:48:06Come on! Come on!
0:48:06 > 0:48:09As second-in-command, Thomson takes over.
0:48:09 > 0:48:14- Upstairs!- Hostage, are you Isabel?
0:48:14 > 0:48:16Are you Isabel Duplus?!
0:48:17 > 0:48:20- We're going to get you out!- Thomson and Donoghue have the hostage.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22Come with us, come with us.
0:48:22 > 0:48:27But in the confusion, Allan drags the injured Toto away from the exit,
0:48:27 > 0:48:29- and into a dead-end. - Where you going?
0:48:29 > 0:48:30Go, go, go, go!
0:48:30 > 0:48:32This way! We need to get back to the entrance.
0:48:32 > 0:48:36- Come on!- Help me! Hey! Come on!
0:48:36 > 0:48:40- Go!- It's my leg, it's my leg! - Go, go, go!
0:48:40 > 0:48:42After three minutes and 15 seconds,
0:48:42 > 0:48:46they have the hostage and Toto clear of the kill house,
0:48:46 > 0:48:50but they're a full minute and 15 seconds slower than Team One.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54The hostage rescue exercise is complete
0:48:54 > 0:48:58and back at base, Team One's leader is happy with his afternoon's work.
0:48:58 > 0:49:00I think I did a fine job.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02There wasn't a huge amount that was required from me.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06Just in, out with the hostage, but it was enjoyable.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09But Thomson is concerned about how she led Team Two.
0:49:10 > 0:49:13Allan, more than anyone, he likes to step up,
0:49:13 > 0:49:15even when he's not really in control.
0:49:15 > 0:49:18I was shouting, and he was flustering and flapping around,
0:49:18 > 0:49:20and ended up in a bit of chaos.
0:49:20 > 0:49:24I'm feeling anything but confident about my position today, actually.
0:49:24 > 0:49:26If I'm at the top, I'm thriving.
0:49:26 > 0:49:30If I'm at the bottom, then I know my mind will start to crumble.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32I feel like I've, kind of, been bumped to the bottom of the pack
0:49:32 > 0:49:35now, so I'm pretty worried about tonight.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43It's now a massive 37 hours since our recruits last slept,
0:49:43 > 0:49:46but Tana and Toto are not finished yet.
0:49:46 > 0:49:49They're about to crank up the psychological pressure
0:49:49 > 0:49:51to a whole new level.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58In the final phase of selection,
0:49:58 > 0:50:02prospective GIGN operatives are ordered to don a bulletproof vest,
0:50:02 > 0:50:05and take a live round to the body from 15 metres.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10If they refuse, they are expelled from the process.
0:50:10 > 0:50:13Putting their lives in the hands of comrades
0:50:13 > 0:50:16is the ultimate test of trust.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20Our recruits have been asked to sign waivers,
0:50:20 > 0:50:24giving consent to be shot with live ammunition, and all eight agreed...
0:50:26 > 0:50:30..but Tana and Toto are not prepared to shoot civilians with live rounds,
0:50:30 > 0:50:32and will actually be firing blanks.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35But as far as our recruits are concerned,
0:50:35 > 0:50:38they'll be staring down the barrel of a loaded gun.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43- Is it safe?- If it was safe, they wouldn't be making us sign the form.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45Oh, God.
0:50:45 > 0:50:48I would have sat in this seat, wouldn't I?
0:50:48 > 0:50:52Blindfolds and ear defenders add to their disorientation,
0:50:52 > 0:50:55and prevent recruits from knowing who goes through with the shooting,
0:50:55 > 0:50:57and who quits.
0:50:59 > 0:51:00Sparks is being led in right now.
0:51:00 > 0:51:01He's currently blindfolded,
0:51:01 > 0:51:06as he has no idea where he's headed for this incredibly testing task
0:51:06 > 0:51:08and he's about to find out if he has the mettle
0:51:08 > 0:51:11to do what he's literally signed up for.
0:51:17 > 0:51:20- How are you? - I'm fine, thank you.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22A bit nervous.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24Why?
0:51:24 > 0:51:27- It's pretty scary. - It's going to be fine.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30Put that through.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33It's the weirdest place for me to be right now,
0:51:33 > 0:51:35because with every single task that they've had,
0:51:35 > 0:51:38I've been able to at least see what's going on.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40Right now, Sparks is all alone in that dark room,
0:51:40 > 0:51:44and the only way I'm going to know if he goes through with it or not is
0:51:44 > 0:51:47- when I hear that bang. - Hands on your back.
0:51:49 > 0:51:52They stay on your back, they do not come in the front.
0:51:58 > 0:52:00- Are you happy to continue?- Yeah.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31GUNSHOT FIRES
0:52:31 > 0:52:34Well, the gun's gone off, it's happened, he did it.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39So, next up it's Parrott.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43Now, she has been pretty consistent the whole time she's been here.
0:52:43 > 0:52:45Is she going to pull out in the last minute?
0:52:45 > 0:52:47Well, we're about to find out.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49- You OK?- Yeah.- Do we continue?- Yeah.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56Stand still.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04GUNSHOT FIRES
0:53:04 > 0:53:07One by one, our recruits are asked to step up...
0:53:12 > 0:53:14..stand in the firing line...
0:53:17 > 0:53:20GUNSHOT FIRES
0:53:20 > 0:53:22..and face the GIGN's final test of courage.
0:53:25 > 0:53:27The last recruit is Downham.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34GUNSHOT FIRES
0:53:40 > 0:53:41Congratulations.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45It was a blank ammunition, but we still do it for real.
0:53:45 > 0:53:49But you did it, you stepped up, very good.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51Displaying incredible commitment,
0:53:51 > 0:53:55all eight of our recruits pass the final phase of our GIGN training.
0:53:55 > 0:53:57Jesus, Allan, there's more grey hairs now!
0:53:57 > 0:53:59Well done, everyone. I think that is everyone.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02I was convinced that somebody would say no.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04Everyone's here to make it to the end.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06And we've done some pretty horrible things,
0:54:06 > 0:54:07the past, you know, ten days.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10You know, it's all going in the mix, what's that when it's at home?
0:54:10 > 0:54:12I never thought I'd get this far,
0:54:12 > 0:54:16but I'd now be really disappointed if I didn't get to the final...
0:54:16 > 0:54:18- Mm.- ..and that's the first time I've even thought that.
0:54:18 > 0:54:22If I don't get through to the final, I'll be gutted, really gutted.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28All eight recruits have shown incredible physical
0:54:28 > 0:54:31and mental resolve to get this far.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33But for Tana and Toto,
0:54:33 > 0:54:36it's their performance over the last 48 hours that matters.
0:54:36 > 0:54:40Now we are, obviously, one step away from the final.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43So, has anyone in particular stood out for you as an excelling recruit?
0:54:43 > 0:54:47- Thomson.- Yes.- So what is it about Thomson specifically, do you think,
0:54:47 > 0:54:49that makes her so strong?
0:54:49 > 0:54:51- Sa volonte.- Her will.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56OK, well, let's go to the other end of the spectrum.
0:54:56 > 0:55:01At the beginning, we were thinking that Onyiuke would have been there.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04The plank killed him, because,
0:55:04 > 0:55:06for people who have never done this kind of thing,
0:55:06 > 0:55:10it's like you run a marathon, that kills you physically and mentally.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13So, after that, the night outside, the wind,
0:55:13 > 0:55:15this morning he was at the bottom of it.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18Sparks, so far we don't know,
0:55:18 > 0:55:20we don't feel him.
0:55:20 > 0:55:24At some point, he was doing good,
0:55:24 > 0:55:27but maybe not constant enough.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30So, is that what it is, is it consistency that you're looking for?
0:55:30 > 0:55:31It's all about that.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33Help me! Hey! Help me, come on!
0:55:33 > 0:55:35Allan was surprised by the last room,
0:55:35 > 0:55:39with the hostage and the bad guy, a little bit froze up.
0:55:39 > 0:55:41He doesn't have it as a killer.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13So, you are getting close to the final.
0:56:15 > 0:56:19The further you get, the more we have to pick up on details.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25If you go tonight, that just means
0:56:25 > 0:56:30that you didn't have this...thing to go further.
0:56:41 > 0:56:43So, Sparks...
0:56:45 > 0:56:46..you have your equipment.
0:56:50 > 0:56:52Thank you very much.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56- Have a safe return.- Thank you.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02I didn't think that I would drop out at this stage,
0:57:02 > 0:57:05but it happened and you've got to deal with it.
0:57:05 > 0:57:07At the same time, it's a serious disappointment.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11'I've definitely pushed myself the hardest I've ever been.'
0:57:11 > 0:57:14If I die, I love you, Mum.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17I found it really hard and emotionally taxing, and obviously,
0:57:17 > 0:57:19physically, incredibly demanding.
0:57:19 > 0:57:22So, I've dealt with it, and it is sad,
0:57:22 > 0:57:24and I would have liked to have carried on,
0:57:24 > 0:57:26but that was their decision.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29- Pleasure.- Thank you very much, mate. - You've been a real champ. Well done.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31It's amazing to make it to the final.
0:57:31 > 0:57:34Yeah, I think for everyone here, we've all done well to get this far.
0:57:34 > 0:57:36Anyone could win it.
0:57:36 > 0:57:39Now, I'm one of the last men standing.
0:57:39 > 0:57:40It's an amazing feeling.
0:57:40 > 0:57:42Somehow, I'm still here.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44Pretty ecstatic right now.
0:57:44 > 0:57:47I've been deemed worthy to make it to the final, so I'm happy.
0:57:47 > 0:57:51Yeah, I'm really, really pleased. Really pleased.
0:57:51 > 0:57:53I think this is the hardest thing I've ever done.
0:57:56 > 0:57:58Next time,
0:57:58 > 0:58:00it's the final.
0:58:01 > 0:58:04Our seven remaining recruits will be put through their paces
0:58:04 > 0:58:08by a former operative of the Australian SAS.
0:58:08 > 0:58:10Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Come on! Come on!
0:58:10 > 0:58:12Endurance will be tested...
0:58:12 > 0:58:14- I can't breathe.- Go down!
0:58:14 > 0:58:16..and the pressure reaches breaking point...
0:58:16 > 0:58:18- Stop- BLEEP- around!
0:58:18 > 0:58:21..as only one of the team can be a winner.