Danger has long been an occupational hazard for former Special Boat Service soldier Dean Stott – who deals with everything from military coups to warzone evacuations in the line of duty.

But the most difficult decision he has ever made was having to leave his wife Alana 12 hours after she gave birth to start filming for The Toughest Forces on Earth – dubbed Netflix’s most dangerous show ever.

In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, he says: “I have an incredibly understanding wife.

That was hard to leave and probably one of the hardest moments in my entire life.”

Dean, 47, joins US Navy Seal Ryan Bates and US Army Ranger Cameron Fath – as one of three fearless veterans, training alongside some of the world’s most elite military units, learning how they operate in hostile environments for the show. This can mean anything from surviving in the Arctic to rescuing hostages in swamp conditions and reclaiming ships from pirates.

Once they have learned the correct tactics and how to use the weaponry, they are seen in action, joining a military mission with their new brothers in arms.

Gaining 10 million viewers within a week of being released in the UK late last month, the eight-part series is already a mega-hit.

But Dean Stott’s life story outside the show is possibly even more compelling.

.A personal friend and ex-military partner of Prince Harry’s, Dean – who served in the Special Forces for 16 years from 1995 until 2011 until a devastating accident cut his military career short – met the royal during a military course in 2007 and then worked alongside him.

Bonding immediately, they became pals, and Dean was at Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle with his wife Alana in May 2018.

He says: “I met Harry on a course back in 2007.

“Him and I were partnered off together and we just maintained that friendship and relationship ever since.

“We support each other. I’m a big fan of the Invictus Games. I’m a big fan of anything to do with veterans, especially around the mental health aspect.”

Dean also raised £1 million for Prince Harry’s ‘Heads Together’ mental health charity in 2018, by cycling the entire 14,000 mile length of the Pan-American Highway.

He passed through 14 countries on his 99 day expedition that bagged him two world records – and was personally congratulated by Prince Harry, whose wedding, barely a week later, he nearly missed because of it.

Receiving his invitation in the middle of the challenge, Dean said it was his “new motivation” to finish the ride, calling his achievement “a bit surreal still.”

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