Kevin Rudd's disgraced former bodyguard Gary Fahey to join SAS Australia spin-off featuring everyday Aussies and NO celebrities By Jesse Hyland For Daily Mail Australia Published: 02:54 BST, 16 October 2021 | Updated: 02:54 BST, 16 October 2021 Viewcomments Gary Fahey is a 'fallen cop' who was the head of security for former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The 44-year-old federal policeman is now set to compete in a new version of SAS Australia that will see everyday Aussies battle it out for selection. Fahey will be among 14 other contestants when the series kicks off on Monday, according to The Daily Telegraph. A unique addition to SAS: Kevin Rudd's former bodyguard Gary Fahey to join a new version of SAS Australia that will feature everyday Australians 'I was in the Federal Police for eighteen-and-a-half years,' he said in a promo. 'I was leader of the Prime Minister’s protection team. I had a loving family and I lost everything I had.' The former cop is perhaps the most controversial competitor in the series due to a gambling addiction that at one point saw him lose thousands in taxpayer money. Fahey had lost up to $1.7 million dollars from gambling, $45,000 of which was taxpayer money directly taken from an AFP-issued credit card. Chance at redemption: The former policeman is perhaps the most controversial competitor in the series due to a gambling addiction that at one point saw him lose thousands in taxpayer money He subsequently faced 64 charges of fraud, but only pleaded guilty to once charge. Fahey's other charges were soon dropped and he was punished with eight months of community service as a result of his actions. Since his fall from grace, the former policeman now operates a gym and helps others in his community struggling with their mental health. 'I lost my career, my reputation,' he said. 'I lost my son 10 days ago; I told him that I was coming here and I made him a promise that I wouldn’t quit. I made him a promise so he can be proud of his dad.' 'I lost my career, my reputation': Since his fall from grace, Fahey now operates a gym and helps others in his community struggling with their mental health SAS chief drill instructor Ant Middleton explained that Fahey's participation on the gruelling assault course would be a kind of 'therapy' for the former policeman. 'He is physically unprepared. He is out of his depth,' the former soldier commented. Fahey is one of fourteen contestants that will appear on the exciting first season of SAS Australia involving regular Aussies. The announcement comes after the second season of the celebrity version of the show recently finished airing just as the cast for the third season of the hit series was revealed. 'He is out of his depth': Chief drill instructor Ant Middleton explained that Fahey's participation on the gruelling course would be a kind of 'therapy' for the former policeman Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility