I'm a Celeb: Mike Tindall was allegedly paid £150,000 to be the first Royal Family member on the show

It has now officially been confirmed thatMike Tindall, the late Queen's granddaughter's husband, has joined a team of celebrities vying for the title of king or queen of the jungle on I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! Tindall, 43, who is married to Zara Philips, arrived in Australia today to become the show's first Royal guest.

The former England rugby international player was earlier spotted at Brisbane Airport in a baseball cap, dark sunglasses, a t-shirt and jeans. ITV executives allegedly paid up to £150,000 for his appearance in the jungle this year.

Mike is away from his family

The contestant, who is clearly a family man, has expressed how much he will miss his family because this will be the first time he will be separated from them for this length of time without any form of communication. Tindall, who has three children with Zara, told The Sun that,

It’s probably one of the longest times we’ve been away completely with no communication. When you go away you still have communication, so that’s obviously going to be the hardest bit.

Tindall subtly suggested in his comments that family life could help him win the show:

You've just got to get your head around doing what you’re doing and try and win some stars and stuff and see where you go from there. I want to win stars because I want to eat!

The hanger is always going to be the biggest thing you have got to worry about but I’ve also got three kids, so dealing with lack of sleep comes with the territory.

Mike, who met Zara in Sydney and married her at Canongate Kirk on Edinburgh's Royal Mile in 2011, said his wife did not object to his participation in the show. Tindall, who is determined to bring the jungle crown home, stated,

She is fine, otherwise I wouldn’t have done it would I?

I was always on the fence but I do think it will be good fun at the end of the day. That is the other thing, I like groups of people and I like things that can be good fun so let’s see. I might regret it.

According to reports, Mike did not seek King Charles III's permission before participating in the program. It's possible that because Zara and Mike Tindall aren't working members of the Royal Family, they're free to pursue their own interests. The Telegraph reported earlier that when it reached out to a representative of the Royal Family, they declined to comment.

The high-profile prime time reality show will also feature big stars like Olivia Attwood from Love Island and Boy George. Soap stars Owen Warner and Sue Cleaver, radio veteran Chris Moyles, and Gogglebox star and comedian Babatunde Alesheke are all expected to compete for the title in the jungle.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will also return to the Australian jungle as hosts for the series, which premieres on November 6th.

Sources used :

The Sun: 'Mike Tindall breaks silence on becoming first royal to enter I’m A Celebrity jungle after arriving in Australia'

The Telegraph: 'First royal since 1987 to appear on prime-time reality TV show'