MELISSA TKAUTZ - ‘SAS HAS MADE ME A STRONGER MUM'

SELF-DOUBT PROVED TO BE THE HARDEST OBSTACLE FOR THIS RECRUIT TO OVERCOME

- Joshua Joynes

When asked if she’s nervous to watch herself on the new season of SAS Australia, Melissa Tkautz says her only hope is that “people don’t judge”.

It’s clear that her threedecade career in showbiz – which includes film, TV and music – has made the mother of two a little guarded.

“When the opportunity to do this came around, I knew it was going to be a challenge,” Melissa, 48, explains. “I didn’t know how I would cope – it made me question what I was capable of. There was such a level of excitement, even though I knew I would likely make an absolute fool of myself.”

Indeed, being subjected to harsh geographical conditions, brutal DS (directing staff) and deprived of basic needs is a situation most wouldn’t expect to find the small-screen queen in. But this willingness to bare all is perhaps the best testament to Melissa’s character.

“I was at a stage, especially after lockdown, where I thought that I needed to shake things up,” she explains.

The star also wanted to prove to daughter Ayla, 12, and son Cuba, 8 – the two children she shares with husband, Kwesi Nicholas – that their mother can do anything.

While Melissa burst onto our screens as Nikki Spencer on E Street at just 16, she doesn’t foresee her daughter following in her footsteps.

“She’s just not interested!” Melissa confesses. “She’s not into acting, selfies or social media. She’s not intrigued by any of that.”