‘She screams so loudly’, Mike Tindall shares ‘pranks’ he plays on Zara & the kids after his childhood ‘annoying farmers’
MIKE Tindall has revealed the fun “pranks” he plays on wife Zara and their kids, Mia, 11, Lena, six, and three-year-old Lucas.
The rugby legend, 46, who has been married to the King’s niece Zara, 43, since 2011, opened up about their family life as he guest-edited edition of The Beano.
The former England rugby captain revealed that his mischievous children like to hide under the table and tie their shoelaces together.
In the editor’s letter of the special edition comic, Mike shared: “My job now is being a dad and I love it.
“It’s important to set a good example, so I play pranks on the kids and their mum.
“I love hiding and jumping out to scare them.
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“It works best on mum – she screams SO loudly!
“The kids’ favourite prank is to hide under the table and tie people’s shoelaces together!”
In Mike’s comic edition, he features in a story with Bananaman - the character who transforms from a schoolboy into a muscular man after eating a banana.
The two team up for an epic adventure where they have to save Beanotwon from a rampaging troll-monster.
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A cartoon version of Mike is pictured on the front cover of the magazine, alongside Bananaman, in an identical blue and yellow suit.
The 2003 Rugby World Cup winner revealed that when he was younger he would always be causing mischief for the local farmers.
He wrote: “Hi everybody! When the Editor asked me to join the naughtiest, most mischievous team in the world, I thought he meant a rugby team.
"But no – he was talking about you Beano readers! Gulp!
“When I was your age, I lived in the country. I was outside all day, riding bikes, jumping off hay bales, exploring the woods – anything to annoy farmers! I was always getting chased!”
He also shared how he is “VERY competitive”, and was inspired by a handful of famous athletes.
Mike continued: “My heroes were sportspeople - Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. But I didn’t want to be like them. I wanted to beat them! I’m VERY competitive!
“I wasn’t brilliant at one sport, but I was strong, determined and willing. I found a coach who believed in me and took every chance I got.
“Then one day I had the Rugby World Cup in my hands!
“I loved being a rugby player. Sport lets you hang out with your friends and have fun.
“Not every kid has access to sport, so if you do get the chance, please take it.”
Mike - who came in fourth place on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! back in 2022 - previously opened up about competitiveness in the royal family on his rugby podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby.
Kate's competitive streak
Speaking about Kate Middleton, he proudly declared: “The Princess of Wales hasn't beaten me at beer pong yet.
“I’ll keep giving her the opportunity to, though. She's very competitive but she needs to work on her technique.”
The Beano special edition - on sale today - also commemorates the 45th anniversary of potassium-powered Bananaman, who first appeared in comic pages in 1980, and has starred in Beano since 2012.
Mike shared how he’s been a big fan of Beano growing up and now sharing it with his three children is “really cool.”
My job now is being a dad and I love it
Mike Tindall
He added: "It’s been brilliant to step into the world of Beano and join Bananaman on this epic adventure.
“Bananaman’s 45th birthday is a reminder that fun, laughter, and a bit of mischief never go out of style, and sharing laughter with kids is timeless.
“Now, go read my Beano - it’s the best ever! (There I go again, getting all competitive!)”
Inside life of most relatable royal couple Zara and Mike Tindall
YOU might expect to find royalty spending their evenings eating fancy food, wearing designer gowns and dripping in diamonds.
But for one royal couple, life is a lot more 'normal' than you'd imagine - we're talking curry and beer nights and muddy dog walks.
From Ann Summers parties and tongue piercings to sibling spats in the royal box, here we take a look at how the Tindall clan has carved out a reputation as Britain's most relatable royals.
Mike and Zara met in Australia in 2003 during the Rugby World Cup, after they were introduced to each other in a bar in Sydney by Zara’s cousin Prince Harry.
The couple’s relationship blossomed back in the UK, but it wasn't all big elaborate romantic gestures - things happened naturally.
Mike later told the Daily Mail: “We got introduced but didn’t speak that much.
“Later on, [rugby player] Austin Healey gave me her number and said, ‘She wants you to text her, to say where you’re all going out after the final so she can come along.’"
Unlike Kate Middleton and Prince William, Mike and Zara have never shied away from a PDA and happily show their love for each other.
But when it comes to dates, they reportedly love nothing more than a night in front of the telly.
According to reports, Mike proposed at home while Zara was watching TV.
It was this level of normality which the Queen was said to have adored about her eldest granddaughter and her family.
One royal source said: “Zara and Mike relax in their dog-strewn home with a box-set, a good curry and some lagers.”
If they do fancy a night out, it's understood Princess Anne babysits so they can enjoy a date at the local pub near where they live in Gloucester.
Mike Stirling, Director of Mischief at Beano Studios, said: “Mike Tindall and Bananaman are the ultimate dream team!
“A rugby legend and a superhero famous for epic failure… what could possibly go wrong?
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“Beano brings families together through shared laughs, so this anniversary edition celebrates that, with probably the funniest Bananaman story of all-time!”
Beano was first published in July 1938 and is created weekly in its original Dundee headquarters and printed in the UK.