Mike Tindall is unlikely to spill secrets about the Royal Family when he’s on I’m A Celebrity, an expert has claimed.
Royal correspondent Charles Rae said the former rugby star is ‘shrewd’ and ‘knows what he can and can’t say’, but he may still be quizzed by fellow campmates.
King Charles was also ‘kept informed’ throughout Mike’s decision to enter the jungle, and the fact he is going on the show means there were few, if any, objections raised.
Mr Rae said: ‘I expect Mike will be well aware of what he can say and cannot say whilst on the show. He is shrewd, so I wouldn’t expect he would reveal any family secrets.
‘However that does not mean that some people will not want to cause mischief and quiz him on the royals, particularly Harry and Meghan.
‘But I suspect Matt Hancock is likely to have a much tougher time.’
Mike, who is married to Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall, is the first member of the Royal Family to take part on the ITV show, which is based in Australia.
Although the family have not fared well on reality TV in the past – particularly Prince Edward’s A Royal Knockout in 1987 – the Firm will be more than ready in case the 44-year-old does speak out of turn.
‘The Royal Family has coped with all sorts of things the past few years, so I’m sure they will cope in the unlikely event Mike speaks out of turn,’ Mr Rae explained.
‘I am sure he will have discussed matters, particularly with Zara and also senior palace aides.’
But the royal expert has no doubt the King gave the go-ahead to Mike’s TV appearance.
Mr Rae said: ‘Mike will certainly have run his appearance with the Royal Family. He will have discussed it with Zara and Princess Ann, as well as aides to the King.
‘The very fact he is appearing means that none of the family have raised objections.
‘We also have to remember that Mike and Zara are not working royals and therefore do not get anything from the Sovereign House Grant.
‘The couple rely on their sponsorship work and their links to sport.’
On whether other members of the Royal Family will tune in, it is expected that the majority will want to see the husband of the Queen’s eldest granddaughter chow down on some bugs.
Mr Rae said: ‘Zara will clearly be glued to the screen, but I also suspect his mother in law, Princess Anne, will be tuning in as well.
‘William and Catherine, who are close to the Tindalls, will want to see how he gets on.
‘I expect the King and Queen will be getting progress reports and might just occasionally tune in.’
However, the rugby star may struggle to be away from his three children whilst he is isolated in the jungle, with Mr Rae describing him as a ‘devoted’ dad.
He said: ‘We have seen how devoted he is to Zara and their three children and while I’m sure being away from them all will be a wrench, I also believe he will cope.’
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