Is it too soon for Mike Tindall to do I’m a Celeb? asks LINDA NOLAN

The 22nd series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me out of Here starts on ITV on Sunday, November 6 at 9pm (Image: Getty)Every winter without fail, we welcome it back into our homes like an old friend and this year, we welcome its long overdue return to Australia. I still can’t believe it’s been three years since it was in Australia or that the show has now been in our lives for 20 years, initially airing in 2002 with Tony Blackburn as the first ever winner. I was approached many, many years ago to see if I’d be interested in doing the show.Ordinarily, I’d have jumped at the chance, but at that point I’d already developed lymphoedema, which makes me prone to cellulitis – a serious skin infection that can cause death. It can be caused by anything that tears the skin, I had it a while back due to my treatment PICC line, but in the case of the jungle – it would be insect bites that would be the biggest danger. Due to the potentially fatal nature of the condition, there’s no way any medic would sign me off to do the show – so I had to decline. Such a shame, I was REALLY looking forward to digging out my white bikini! As usual, the rumour mill has been swirling about who will be entering the camp this year. For once, my sister Coleen hasn’t been linked to it, she’s usually linked to it every year. Instead, her fellow Loose Women panellist Charlene White is going in, having been spotted at Brisbane Airport, among countless other names, as they head into lockdown before going in (see my very first column on CBB, I’m a Celeb has a similar protocol!). Radio legend Chris Moyles, Corrie favourite Sue Cleaver and Lioness captain Jill Scott MBE were among the first stars to land in Australia. Boy George is the latest to be seen landing, wearing a lion mask, you sure you’re on the right show, George?! He’s reportedly bagged himself a whopping $1MILLION deal.That’s alright for some! All I’ll say is, I hope you know what you’ve signed up for George, because they’ll definitely want their money’s worth! However, the most interesting name to come up so far, for me, is Mike Tindall. Known to many of us as a rugby champion, worldwide – he’ll be more known worldwide as the husband of Zara Tindall MBE, the late Queen’s granddaughter. I’m sure ITV were already interested in him before the Queen’s passing, but this definitely would’ve tipped the scales, especially on the money front for Mike. In fact, I’m surprised he’s not the alleged highest paid. However, the process for these shows usually sees a lot of stars be booked near to filming, mainly for scheduling but is also dependent on the news cycle and what’s happening – so the Queen’s death and the constant Meghan and Harry saga would’ve pushed him to the top of the list. There wouldn’t be a man, woman or child on the planet that doesn’t know the Queen passed just under two months ago. My main thought is – is it too soon to do it? Just like Boy George, they will be wanting their pound of flesh. They will no doubt want him to talk about the Queen’s death and reveal royal secrets. The Royal Family would understandably still be grieving such a devastating loss. For one to go to the other side of the world and be cut off from your entire family, so soon after a public, global mourning could be too much. Especially when you’re in that environment, things do become incredibly magnified. That being said, I remember when I did Celebrity Big Brother, just six months after Bernie passed and it was exactly what I needed. It was actually a great way to get away from real life and switch off. There was a weird freedom in being in the man-made bubble that was Big Brother. Anyway, time will tell and I look forward to seeing him in there! The 22nd series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me out of Here starts on ITV on Sunday, November 6 at 9pm.