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Mike Tindall has responded when asked if he has asked permission from the Royal Family before agreeing to participate in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.
The former England rugby player, 44, who married King Charles’s niece Zara Phillips, 41, in 2011, has arrived in Australia as he prepares to become the first ever member of the Royal Family to appear on the hit ITV show.
When asked by the mirror“The early reports said you’ve asked permission from certain members of the royal family, is that true?” Mike replied, “It’s not something I need to tell you, is it.”
Last week, The times reported that the father of three had “not asked permission” from the monarch to appear on the reality TV show, in a performance rumored to fetch Mike £150,000.
Ten celebrities will enter the jungle on day one and more are expected to follow later.
Mike looked casual when he landed at Brisbane Airport, wearing a baseball cap, dark sunglasses, a colorful T-shirt and jeans.
Mike Tindall (pictured at Brisbane Airport) has responded to the question of whether he sought permission from the Royal Family before agreeing to participate in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
The former England rugby player, 44, who married King Charles’s niece Zara Phillips, 41, in 2011, has arrived in Australia as he prepares to become the first ever member of the Royal Family to appear on the hit ITV show. Pictured, Charles on October 3, 2022
He told The Sun: ‘It’s probably one of the longest times we’ve gone completely without communication. When you leave, you still have communication, so of course that’s going to be the hardest part.
“You just have to keep your wits about doing what you’re doing and trying to win some stars and stuff and see where you’re going. I want to win stars because I want to eat!
“The pendant will always be the main thing to worry about, but I also have three kids, so dealing with sleep deprivation is part of it.”
The father of three said Australia holds a special place in his heart when he met his wife in Sydney.
When asked what she thought of him going to the show, he joked, “She’s fine, otherwise I wouldn’t have done it, right?”
He said he wasn’t thinking of being crowned king of the jungle and said he hopes the experience will be “great fun”, though he admitted he “might regret it.”
Mike Tindall arrives at Brisbane Airport in Australia for his appearance on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
The former England rugby international had been rumored to have signed up for the show before last night’s confirmation
The 44-year-old looks casual when he arrived at the Brisbane airport, wearing a baseball cap, dark sunglasses, a T-shirt and jeans
Pop culture and brand expert Nick Ede previously told MailOnline that the show will be a great move for “Tindall brand.”
“I’m sure Mike got over £150,000 to appear, but the real value of the show is what you do after it,” he told Femail.
Whether he lands a starring role as a sports pundit, panelist or show host, who knows, except for ‘Tindall brand’, this is a great move and will boost his celebrity value tenfold. All eyes will be on Mike this year.”
He also believes Mike’s ‘devotion’ to his wife made him popular with Brits, after he married into the royal family and became Princess Anne’s son-in-law in 2011.
He added: “Maybe there will be two kings in the royal family this year – one from the crown and one from the jungle.”
Royal: Rounding out the ten who will be entering the jungle on day one is former rugby player Mike Tindall (pictured with wife Zara on their wedding day)
Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have also landed in Down Under, marking the series’ first return to Australia since 2019.
This year’s lineup is led by vocalist Boy George, who took in the biggest paycheck in the show’s history to take part.
MailOnline revealed that the Karma Chameleon hitmaker has been paid a payday of almost $1 million (£870,000) for his performance, with a source saying: ‘It’s been a long time since we had a huge global star film and it will undoubtedly draw viewers.
“He’s a national treasure and we have no doubt viewers will make him king of the jungle.”
The Culture Club singer is able to avoid many of the show’s eating challenges, which involve digesting various creepy critters while sticking to a vegan diet.
Olivia Attwood has already landed in Australia and was spotted at Brisbane airport for the past few days as she geared up for the jungle.
The 31-year-old is no stranger to reality TV, having first found fame on Love Island in 2017 before appearing on The Only Way Is Essex.
Hollyoaks actor Owen Warner has also joined the lineup this year, admitting that he is “always looking for romance.”
He told The Daily Mirror: ‘My mother is the one who is going to miss me. I’m single and ready for the jungle!’
‘I’m always looking for romance, but I don’t go into that specifically. I will miss football and family the most.”
Owen was previously in a relationship with Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry, but the couple split last summer after he claimed he allegedly messaged glamor model Apollonia Llewellyn, begging to meet up.
News host Charlene White has also signed up for the show, swapping her regular place on the Loose Women’s panel for the jungle.
A source told The sun The bosses hope she treats her fellow camp mates: ‘She has strong opinions, but she’s very pretty and will be of value around the Australian campfire.
“They hope her journalism background will allow her to have some enlightening conversations with her camp mates, which shouldn’t be difficult given the people she’ll be sleeping next to in bunk beds.”
Chris Moyles was one of the first spotted stars to arrive in Australia for the series, and the radio DJ would have been at the top of the producers’ wish list for several years.
About the show, Moyles told The Sun: “I have absolutely no idea what my family and friends would think if I did a show pretending to be a Celebrity.
‘I never asked them. But I think they’d be a lot more nervous if I did the Antiques Roadshow. It should be fun, fingers crossed anyway.’
Retired English star Jill Scott was also spotted arriving in Australia after being part of the rumor thread.