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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Will Twigger

SAS: Who Dares Wins Grenfell hero applauded by viewers after heartbreaking story

Tonight marked the new series of SAS: Who Dares Wins, with one recruit sharing a heartbreaking story about the Grenfell Tower fire.

Firefighter Ricky Nuttall ran into the blaze three times in a bid to save as many lives as possible during the Grenfell tragedy that killed 72 people in 2017.

He put his name down for the show to "start a new chapter" after suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) after the fighting the blaze.

And tonight's episode saw him tell Jason Fox and newcomer Melvyn Downes question Ricky about his motives for coming on the show.

"It's been a tough three years," he explained.

Ricky was branded a hero by viewers (Channel 4)

"I just lost my mind completely, I was suffering from PTSD. I'd start crying and I had no idea why."

Asked by Jason what had happened, Ricky told: "I was one of the firefighters at the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

"There was one particular incident where we tried to rescue someone, and we had to turn back literally outside the guy's front door.

"That guy died, and it really haunted me for a long time."

Ricky was one of the firefighters who fought the Grenfell Tower blaze (Daily Mirror)

He added: "You always want to rescue everybody, you know?

"You want everyone to survive, and on that night 72 people didn't. It's f**king heartbreaking.

"This course to me was I guess a chance to start a new chapter in my life."

Viewers, meanwhile, were full of praise for Ricky - branding him a hero.

"Okay mad respect for Ricky and dealing with Grenfell," one tweeted.

Ricky told the story to Melvyn and Jason (Channel 4)

"Oh the fire fighters at Grenfell must have really struggled," another sympathised.

A third branded Ricky's words "powerful", adding that "he needs to be told he's a hero already."

A fourth penned: "It never crossed my mind how badly Grenfell would have affected the firefighters.

"Fair play to #SASWhoDaresWins for highlighting this."

Ricky earned the respect of viewers - as well as Melvyn and Jason - with his heartbreaking story (Minnow Films)

Ricky recently told the Mirror : "I wanted to go on the show to be physical proof you can be suicidal, and three years later be on the SAS course pushing yourself.

"I hope people can look at me and think, 'right, there is a way back and I can get myself back to good mental health'."

Sadly, Ricky became the first recruit to leave the show.

*SAS: Who Dares Wins airs Sundays at 9pm on Channel 4.

If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operates a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email Jo@samaritans.org if you'd prefer to write down how you feel. You are not alone.

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