Mike Tindall to join Channel 4's The Jump

The former rugby international will become the first member of the royal family to join a reality TV show since 'It's A Royal Knockout'

Mike Tindall will become the first member of the royal family to take part in a reality TV show since the disastrous It's A Royal Knockout in 1987.

The former Rugby international has signed up to take part in the second series of Channel 4’s skiing challenge The Jump.

The 36-year-old, who is married to the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips, will join eleven other celebrities trying to master a number of winter sports from ski jumping to speed skating and the giant slalom.

Tindall will become the first member of the royal family to appear in a reality TV series since The Grand Knockout Tournament, now popularly known as "It’s a Royal Knockout", in 1987.

The one-off charity show, which featured Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, saw members of the royal family compete in humiliating games that saw them dress up as giant vegetables and throw fake hams at each other.

The show was widely hailed as the point at which public respect for the Royal Family began a slow but steady decline.

Tindall, who has achieved celebrity status with his royal bride, is expected to debut on The Jump in January 2015.

The remaining eleven contestants joining the Channel 4 show will be announced next week.