Mike Tindall fears his pals will 'stitch him up' during I'm A Celebrity appearance

Mike Tindall reckons he has to watch out for his mates and not The Royal Family while he's on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

King Charles' nephew-in-law may be the first royal to take part, but he thinks his rugby mates plan to set him up with the gruesome Bushtucker Trials.

While the former Bath outside centre, 44, was extremely coy when he was asked by The Mirror if he had permission from the Royal Household to take part – but he's not worried about their response.

The dad-of-three who is the second star to take part in the ITV show out of his friendship group thinks the likes of James Haskell have a cunning plan.

Mike Tindall reckons his rugby mates might set him up on I'm A Celebrity (ITV)

Mike joins the likes of Boy George on the show (ITV)

Mike said: "I am fully aware that anyone who has ever played rugby will go, 'Yeah let's stitch him up', All my friendship group has that sort of humour and I know they will definitely want to vote for me! I am prepared to do quite a lot of challenges."

Discussing his reason for taking part, the sportsman who is married to Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Tindall said: "It is sinking in now that I am taking part.

His close friend, James Haskell has previously taken part in the show (ITV/REX)

"I am ready to rumble, I have been asked on numerous occasions to take part – the timing was right this year and Hask (James) did the show and he had been talking about it."

But Mike isn't afraid of the infamous trials which could see him eat anything from a crocodile penis to a fish eye, as he explained: "I am eight years out of the game now so I am a bit more realistic about food, but I know James said the lack of food can sometimes be hard.

The royal and former rugby player says he'll miss his family and his bed during his jungle stint (Getty Images)

"But at least with the eating trials, you get food in you! It might not taste very nice but at least it is serving a purpose and giving you a protein intake, bring on those challenges!"

While Mike may be joined by his wife and three children, Mia, Lena and Lucas after his stint, he says out of everything, he'll miss his family, bed and breakfast every day.

Although he'll be joined by music royalty as singer Boy George is setting up home in the camp, Mike's ideal campmate would be none other than Hollywood star Samuel L Jackson.

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! returns to ITV at 9pm on November 6.

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