It had long been rumoured that a contestant with royal connections would be heading into the famous jungle and now ITV has confirmed the full line up for the upcoming 22nd season of ”I’m A Celebrity…”
And the line up does include Princess Anne’s son in law, Mike Tindall, who is married to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s granddaughter Zara.
Mike and Zara married in 2011 and now have three children, daughters Mia and Lena and son Lucas.
Mike Tindall is a former rugby player for the England national team, ending his sporting career in 2014. Since then, he has remained a high profile commentator on the game and takes part in a podcast.
The show is one of the most popular features of ITV, and, due to pandemic restrictions, was confined to a castle in Scotland for the past two editions. Now, it’s returning to the jungle that made it famous. Ant and Dec remain at the helm.
Other celebrities taking part include singer Boy George and TV personality Olivia Atwood as well as Coronation Street star, Sue Cleaver. However, none of them has generated as many headlines as a late addition to the cast. Conservative politician, Matt Hancock, who was Health Secretary during the pandemic joined the line up at the last minute, losing his party’s whip as a result.
In “I’m a celebrity…get me out of here!”, celebrities are divided in two groups, in various challenges, in order to secure extra food or comforts for themselves and other members of their group.
The public at home can vote via phone, text or interactive platforms on the celebrity they wish to compete in the various challenges, and, towards the end of the show, to crown the winner of the season.
Each celebrity taking part in the show nominates a charity to which they wish to devolve the profits made through the voting system, and they also receive individual compensation to make up for any potential losses they face during their time in the jungle.
It has not been made public which charity Mike Tindall has chosen to support, but, given the series will start airing on the 6th of November, it is clear that he is already in Australia, getting ready to face the trials and challenges that the public will vote for him.
It is the first time that a member of the Royal Family has taken part in this show, but it is not their first encounter with people close to the royals; in the first season, the late Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, who had a close friendship with several members of the family, took second place. That was emulated in season 13 by fashion designer David Emanuel, best known for being the creator of Diana, Princess of Wales’ wedding dress.
