Member of the royal family set to appear in prime time reality show

Well, this is unexpected. A well-known member of the royal family has been named among the star-studded cast of a hit reality TV series.

Mike Tindall has agreed to be the first royal on prime time reality TV.

The former England rugby star will join next month’s UK edition of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here, which is being filmed in the Australian bush.

The 43-year-old husband of the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips is the show’s biggest signing, reports The Sun.

He will appear alongside a host of British stars including singer Boy George.

Details of Tindall’s deal remain a closely guarded secret, but a source told The Sun: “It’s a massive coup. Mike has had a box seat for some of the most important moments in royal history for generations.

“He is sure to be discreet, but his sheer presence means this series will be an absolute must-watch.”

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Mike Tindall (far right) alongside wife Zara Phillips, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and his brother-in-law Peter Phillips at St Paul’s Cathedral in June. Picture: Daniel Leal/Pool/AFP

Tindall, who lifted the rugby World Cup when England won in 2003, married Zara in 2011.

The couple have three children – Mia, 8, Lena, 4, and Lucas, 1.

He has since become a key member of the royal inner circle.

Mike Tindall with his daughter, Mia, seated behind Kate Middleton, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. Picture: Roland Hoskins – WPA Pool/Getty Images

He was pictured playfully signalling he was keeping his eye on four-year-old Prince Louis at Jubilee celebrations and accompanied Zara, 41, to the Queen’s funeral last month.

Tindall told his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, he had been “blown away” by the national outpouring of grief.

“Zara loved the Queen beyond everything. Their connection with horses – the same with the Princess Royal – they had a real bond around that,” he said.

Mike Tindall, right, with members of the royal family during the Vigil of the Princes for the late Queen last month. Picture: Daniel Leal/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Non-working royals Mike and Zara make their own way financially, though they do live at Gatcombe, the Cotswolds estate of Zara’s mother, Princess Anne.

The last major family TV show featuring the royals was the ill-fated It’s A Royal Knockout charity edition in 1987.

Anne, Andrew and Edward wore fancy dress as team captains in a stunt dreamt up by Edward. But the Queen and Prince Philip were reportedly left “dismayed”.

When approached for comment, an I’m A Celeb spokesman said: “We’ll announce our line-up nearer transmission.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Member of the royal family set to appear in prime time reality show