EXCLUSIVE: Mike Tindall has revealed his sweet family holiday plans as he celebrates his business success alongside friends and co-owners Alex Payne and James Haskell at an intimate event
Mike Tindall has revealed his big holiday plans with wife Zara and their children as the former rugby star opens up about family life, friendship and the boozy business venture he shares with best pals James Haskell and Alex Payne.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror during a swanky event at The Other House in South Kensington while celebrating his brand Blackeye Gin, Mike said that he’s planning a big cruise holiday for his family.
“We’ve been trying to plan this for ages and we’re trying to get dates that we can go do it,” Mike explained. When asked whether he would ever consider bringing his children along, the answer was immediate. “I would definitely do it,” he said. Rugby pro James Haskell added: “You’ve got to try it. I’d do a daddy-daughter cruise.”
Mike and his wife Zara Tindall share three children together – daughters Mia, 12, and Lena, seven, and son Lucas, five. While cruising was once often associated with older holidaymakers, Mike believes the industry has changed dramatically in recent years. “Cruising gets bracketed into an older generation, which I think has massively changed at the moment,” he said.
The comments came as Mike, James, and Alex Payne discussed their ongoing partnership with MSC cruises, which has seen Blackeye Gin introduced across the company’s fleet.
Although the trio are now successful business partners, they remain best known to many fans for the friendship that has made their podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, and media projects so popular.
Their friendship was clear throughout the event, with James rarely missing an opportunity to tease his former England teammate. While discussing the prospect of taking a cruise, James joked that he was particularly excited by one onboard offering.
“I saw there’s free unlimited pizza. Perfect.” The former rugby star then joked about Mike’s supposed requirements before agreeing to set sail. “Do they still play shuffleboard because he refuses to go unless they’re playing bridge and shuffleboard?” he jibed.
Mike revealed he first played with and against James in the mid-2000s, while both men had known broadcaster Alex Payne professionally for many years before launching their business ventures together.
The relationship, however, wasn’t always as close as it is today. “The nine years have bonded the friendship,” Mike explained. James added: “When we first met, we wouldn’t class each other as close friends. He was a work colleague, he was a mate.”
Discussing their friendship, Mike joked: “James brings the noise, Alex brings a lot of words, and I just make sure the quality’s right.”
Asked whether their close bond makes running a business easier, James launched into an amusing description of the group’s dynamic. According to him, everyone has a clearly defined role.
Alex, he joked, is the responsible adult in the room and often acts as the group’s organiser, while Mike provides a steadying influence. As for himself, James quipped: “I’m not really sure what I do. I add energy. I’m front of the house.”
Mike was quick to agree that life is rarely quiet when James is around. “It’s never a dull day when he’s around,” he laughed.
The trio’s willingness to poke fun at one another has become a trademark of both their business and broadcasting projects, but behind the jokes lies a genuine admiration for each other’s strengths.
James explained that one of the secrets to their long-lasting partnership is their ability to communicate honestly without taking offence. “We don’t ever argue. If we do, we’re able to share and have opinions and hear stuff.”
Alex Payne, a broadcaster, revealed that despite working together for almost a decade, the group has only seriously fallen out once. Ironically, that disagreement happened while on a cruise ship.
Fortunately, James insisted the dispute had very little to do with cruising itself and far more to do with the circumstances surrounding the trip. “It was more to do with the amount of unplanned alcohol,” he joked.
Indeed, James suggested that laughter may be one of the most underrated aspects of any long-term relationship. “We laugh everywhere we go,” he said. “There’s always moments, there’s always a catastrophe, and out of a catastrophe we spend a lot of time laughing together.”
Asked whether Buckingham Palace stocks their Blackeye Gin, which retails for around £35, Mike sweetly said they were one of the first to stock it to show support for the Rugby pro.
And it’s even got the seal of approval from Sophie Wessex, who has shared her love of gin in the past. While her favourite brand used to be Silent Pool, Blackeye Gin also stands proudly among the royal residences.
Mike’a gin is set to be available in all bars and is included for guests with a Premium Drinks Package or for those staying in the MSC Yacht Club.
