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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Why Mike Tindall can appear on I'm A Celeb - while other royals would not be allowed

Mike Tindall has arrived in Australia confirming he will take part in the upcoming series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.

He was spotted at the airport wearing a navy t-shirt and baseball cap ready for his stint in the jungle, joining a host of other stars including Chris Moyles, Gogglebox star Babatunde Aleshe, Loose Women's Charlene White and Lioness Jill Scott.

The former rugby player is married to Zara Tindall, the daughter of Princess Anne, which makes her a niece of King Charles. Zara and Mike are regulars at royal events - and were front and centre at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year. And he becomes the first royal to appear on the hit ITV show, with show bosses said to be delighted to have him sign up. However, unlike some of his royal relatives - Mike nor wife Zara hold royal titles, carry out any official royal duties or receive any public money.

Mike Tindall landed in Australia yesterday ready for the new series (Tim Merry / Daily Star)
He's the first royal to appear on the hit ITV show (Tim Merry / Daily Star)

This means they are free to make a living any way they chose - with both of them having deals with several different luxury brands.

On the other hand, working members of the royal family are not allowed to benefit from their status to make additional cash - meaning they would probably not be allowed a stint in the jungle.

However, Mike's jungle appearance won't be the first time he's been the star of reality TV.

Back in 2015, he was beaten by former TOWIE star Joey Essex in the final of the second series of The Jump, after he asked permission from the late Queen to appear on the Channel 4 show.

Mike with wife Zara Tindall at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year (PA)
Mike and Zara with the late Queen and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace in 2006 (FilmMagic)

Thankfully, the late monarch was fine with her granddaughter's husband ski jumping, speed skating and taking part in the giant slalom among other winter sports for the star-studded reality TV show - with Mike impressing viewers with how he handled a horrific crash during one stunt.

"I thought I'd demonstrate how NOT to do the ski jump and how to land on your head," the royal sarcastically quipped to presenter Davina McCall, after taking a tumble on the slopes and banging his head on the ice.

Mike with Davina McCall during his time on Channel 4 show The Jump (Channel 4)

The royal didn't have much luck when he appeared on another reality TV show later the same year - having to be airlifted to hospital after cracking his head open during a stint on Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.

The rugby star was hit in the head by a tree branch during the adventure through the Costa Rican rainforest.

Bear admitted that he felt nervous about what the Queen might have to say about her granddaughter’s husband being injured - joking he worried the monarch may "behead me".

Away from action-packed reality TV series, Mike has also appeared on more glamourous shows over the years - popping up Shark Cage the year before his stints on The Jump and Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.

Shark Cage sees poker pros, celebrities and online qualifiers compete in a series of six heats, with each winner advancing to the final table and their share of a $1,000,000 prize pool.

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