Craig McLachlan was faced with a major dilemma after a brutal “beasting to end all beastings” on SAS Australia on Monday night.
The actor had managed to get through a day of tough physical challenges and had coped with the emotion of receiving a letter from his partner Vanessa.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: The secret codes in SAS Australia scenes you may have missed
Stream the world's best reality, entertainment and true-crime shows free on 7plus
But it was a punishing late-night “beasting” that left him in major distress and deciding whether or not he should stay or leave.
The remaining contestants were already exhausted after an intense day when they were called from the haven of their camp beds into the square by the SAS staff.
Earlier, Ant Middleton vowed to give them the “beasting to end all beastings,” one so brutal that the intention was to force a voluntary withdrawal from the course.
First up, the contestants had to do a series of pushups before running around the courtyard square, then diving into a tank of water and crawling through sand in their soggy clothes.
McLachlan, 57, had impressed the directing staff earlier by coming out on top in a rope challenge where he was pitted against the younger and more physically muscular Tim Robards.
But as he slogged through the sand in waterlogged fatigues, McLachlan began to visibly struggle, then stopped, clutching his lower abdomen.
“Unless you’re f***ing dying number 9, I suggest you get f***ing crawling,” one of the directing staff yelled at McLachlan, who looked up and gasped: “I need to see the doc.”
For a terrifying moment, it looked like McLachlan was about to have a heart attack.
![Craig McLachlan calls for a doctor on SAS Australia.](https://images.7news.com.au/publication/C-12376723/9855caa290f1661ff8ebae54433d46825f4ca344.png?imwidth=650&impolicy=sevennews_v2)
Pointing at his abdomen, he said, “It’s like a hot knife through f***ing butter ... You know I wouldn’t f***ing stop it (unless it was something bad).”
McLachlan then staggered over to Ant Middleton.
“What do you want to do, number 9?” Middleton asked the actor.
“Come on, make a decision.”
“I’ve just got to see the doctor,” McLachlan said, clearly not wanting to quit but unable to go on with the beasting.
“If you can’t carry on, you’re gonna let the team down tomorrow on the ground,” Ant yelled.
“I suggest you hand your number in and stop the suffering.
“You’re not going to be able to make it tomorrow when you do s*** 10 times as hard as this!
“It’s not going to get any f***ing easier, number 9!”
![Ant Middleton gives Craig McLachlan an ultimatum on SAS Australia.](https://images.7news.com.au/publication/C-12376723/fa00d30009f9d2007195d79e4dbc61a15bdb701a.png?imwidth=650&impolicy=sevennews_v2)
McLachlan, puffing and distressed, looked shattered as he contemplated his next move.
Slowly, reluctantly, he ended up ripping off his number and handing it over, clearly gutted at having to do so.
“You’ve done the right thing,” Middleton said.
“Tomorrow, you would have been left on the ground like a f***ing idiot, leaving yourself with no-one to come and pick you up.
“You haven’t let us down - you’ve f***ing done amazing.
“Your body has given up on you, that’s it.
“Tomorrow, you won’t last. Fact. Fact.”
![Craig McLachlan explains the pain he’s feeling to Jamie ‘Jay’ Morton.](https://images.7news.com.au/publication/C-12376723/f708a9622c8b14edf2480573c450f8d2177b3189.png?imwidth=650&impolicy=sevennews_v2)
Later, in the medical room, Middleton once again praised McLachlan’s grit and determination before the actor left the camp.
“I’ve seen you change,” he said, as McLachlan became emotional.
“I’ve seen you let down your guard literally overnight.
“This is the reason why I do this course, for people like you.
“That was a very selfless decision you made there - a great decision to make for the team.”
![Ant Middleton says goodbye to Craig McLachlan on SAS Australia.](https://images.7news.com.au/publication/C-12376723/736a65515be2a310330f2c807ccbb5883c5dc8cd.png?imwidth=650&impolicy=sevennews_v2)
Middleton added that McLachlan would be “someone that sticks in my head for a very long time.”
“Same,” McLachlan replied.
“Muckers for life.
“Thanks for having me.”
SAS Australia continues Tuesday 7.30pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.
For more engaging entertainment content, visit 7Life on Facebook.
SAS Australia star Matthew Mitcham made a shocking confession about his marriage while admitted his deepest shame on Tuesday night's episode.
Stream free on
![7plus logo](https://7news.com.au/static/media/7plus.4273d9c8.png)