‘The Challenge’ Alum Theo Campbell Says He Would Compete on the Show for Free
The Challenge alum Theo Campbell hasn’t competed on the reality competition series since 2019 and wants to return, despite an incident that has left him partially blind. The UK native recently claimed that he believes in his ability to win so much that he would compete without the usual compensation.
Theo Campbell said he would compete on ‘The Challenge’ for free sparking exchange with Amanda Garcia
The Challenge finalist Theo Campbell hasn’t competed on the MTV show since 2019 and has expressed interest in returning for a future season. In a Nov. 2021 tweet, he explained he appeared for the first season following a year of “partying, drinking, and no training,” yet still made it to the finals.
After his eye incident, the 30-year-old claimed “they” haven’t called him back because they know he’s “better than ever.” He followed it up with another tweet, insisting he would compete for no compensation. “Don’t worry about paying me the weekly money,” he tweeted to the official account for the show. “I’m only there for the prize money anyway.”
Veteran Amanda Garcia subtweeted the former finalist, claiming she thought those who would volunteer to compete for free are “desperate to the max.” Theo responded by stating he walked away with more money after War of the Worlds than she had in her several seasons, and Amanda ended her side of the exchange.
She claimed she didn’t want to say what she honestly thought about him so their internet beef wouldn’t award him a spot on the show, noting there’s a “line” for the “golden callback ticket.”
He had a case for rookie of the year following his performance on ‘War of the Worlds’
The UK athlete competed as a rookie alongside two-time champ Cara Maria Sorbello, and the two formed a super duo, winning four daily missions.
He also went on to win another solo challenge before eliminating his teammate’s nemesis, Kyle Christie. The rookie went on to finish the competition in second place, walking away with $200,000.
His impressive performance put him in contention for rookie of the year, closely behind winner Turbo Çamkıran, and he returned for the following season, War of the Worlds 2.
A part of Team UK, the contestants, had a hard time winning daily missions, and he found himself in four eliminations. After winning three of them, he fell to multi-season champ Jordan Wiseley, going home before the finals.
Theo hasn’t returned to ‘The Challenge’ since an eye accident
In Aug. 2019, as War of the Worlds 2 aired, the former finalist revealed he split his eye in half due to a champagne cork that flew into his face. He has since undergone a few surgeries, but the vision hasn’t fully returned yet.
The 30-year-old wore an eye patch for a while and claimed he received an invitation to compete in the following season, Total Madness. However, he listened to his doctor, who encouraged him to give his eye time to heal.
Following the next season, Double Agents, the 30-year-old gave an update, explaining he hasn’t completely lost all of his vision. Even so, the former finalist admitted he’d likely have partial blindness “for life.”
During his two-year absence from the show, the UK track star has continued training and recently welcomed his first child. The Challenge: Spies, Lies, and Allies airs Wednesdays on MTV.
