I got into a lot of trouble as a kid

SAS: Who Dares Wins tough guy Mark 'Billy' Billingham on joining the army, why National Service should be brought back and being friends with Brad Pitt

- TONY COWELL

Former SAS hero Mark 'Billy' Billingham's introduction to the world of TV was in Channel 4's SAS: Who Dares Wins and its hugely popular celebrity spin-off.

Although his appearance as one of the instructors and resident 'tough guys' was his small-screen debut, it wasn't Billy's first brush with the rich and famous - in his former life he was a personal bodyguard to A-listers Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Kate Moss. In fact, Billy tells us he and Brad are "still close".

Before his security stint, the 59-year-old began his career in public service by joining the military aged 17. Eventually his heroics earned him the Queen's Commendation for Bravery, as well as an MBE for outstanding service as the SAS ground commander during the 2005 terrorist attacks in London.

Father-of-six Billy splits his time between Florida and the UK. Here, he opens up about his early life-growing up on a council estate in Walsall and joining a street gang at the age of 12. He also reveals what it was like to work with some of the world's biggest film stars, and the advice he once gave to Brad Pitt...

Hi, Billy! You have been on SAS: Who Dares Wins since 2016. What do you think is key to the success of the show?