'Real reason' Mike Tindall hasn't appeared on I'm A Celebrity South Africa amid 'risk' he faced
Mike appeared on I'm A Celebrity in 2022Mike Tindall won over the public in the I’m A Celebrity jungle in 2022, but he hasn’t returned for the new all-stars series this year.
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa is currently airing in the UK. The all-stars series has seen many past campmates return for another run in the jungle. But Mike, 47, isn’t one of them.
Mike, who is married to King Charles’ niece Zara Tindall, finished in fourth place on the show in 2022. According to a royal expert, returning for another series may not have been on the cards at all for former rugby star Mike.
‘Reason’ Mike Tindall hasn’t returned to I’m A Celebrity
Former royal butler Grant Harrold has said that Mike has “nothing to gain from going back into the jungle”.
Speaking to OLBG, Grant said: “I don’t think the show would have been something Mike entered into lightly. There would have been considerations and, of course, permissions involved, so it was clearly a well-thought-out decision.
“He embraced it for what it was, which was a bit of fun, a new experience, and a chance to show a different side of himself. In doing so, he also gave the public a rare, more relaxed glimpse into the extended royal family.
He really has nothing to gain from going back into the jungle.
“But I imagine, from his perspective, doing it once was enough.”
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He continued: “If you’re a celebrity looking to raise your profile, something like an All-Star series makes perfect sense. But Mike doesn’t fall into that category.
“He was already successful, and his appearance in Australia only strengthened his public image. So the question becomes: why do it again?”
‘Why risk that by returning?’
Grant said Mike had a successful appearance on I’m A Celebrity in 2022, so he may not have wanted to risk that by returning.
The former butler concluded: “He really has nothing to gain from going back into the jungle. People saw him, enjoyed him, and he came out of the experience very well.
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“Why risk that by returning and potentially having things not go to plan, whether that’s being voted out at the wrong moment or simply not having the same impact?
“That said, I don’t think there would be any real concern from a royal family perspective if he did decide to take part again.”
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