Mike Tindall guest edits Beano comic - and reveals the pranks he plays on Zara and their kids

Mike Tindall has guest-edited an edition of Beano celebrating the 45th anniversary of the hapless superhero character Bananaman - and revealed the prank he likes to play on his family. The former England rugby player, who is married to Zara Tindall, daughter of the Princess Royal, shared in his editor's letter how his job is now 'being a dad and I love it'. He added: 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. It works best on mum – she screams SO loudly!'.

Mike also revealed how his children, Mia, 11, Lena, six, and Lucas, three, love to 'hide under the table and tie people’s shoelaces together'. Elsewhere, the 46-year-old reflected on his rugby career in the editor's letter and featured in a story where he teamed up with Bananaman to save Beanotown from a rampaging troll. Mike can be seen wearing an identical blue and yellow suit to the fictional character on the comic's front cover.

He said: 'It's been brilliant to step into the world of Beano and join Bananaman on this epic adventure. I loved reading Beano growing up, and now being able to share that with my own kids is really cool. '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.'. Lena Tindall (centre), now six, is pictured with her parents Mike and Zara at Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2022.

Mike's editor's letter read: '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!. '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!. '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. 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!.

Mike guest edited the special edition of The Beano, featuring favourites including Dennis the Menace and Minnie the Minx. Mike and Bananaman team up for an epic adventure, tackling a rampaging troll-monster to save Beanotown. Mike can be seen wearing an identical blue and yellow suit to the fictional character on the comic's front cover. The former England rugby player, who is married to Zara Tindall , daughter of the Princess Royal , shared in his editor's letter how his job is now 'being a dad and I love it'.

His letter also encourages children to take on a sport, if they have the chance. He added: '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. 'I help out at the Matt Hampson Foundation. Matt suffered a very serious rugby injury 20 years ago. He adjusted to his new life and developed a motto – Get Busy Living.

'We’ve supported thousands of people to recover from serious injuries and stay in sports. He’s amazing. But I believe that if you work hard, believe in yourself and always do your best, you can be amazing too. 'Now, go read my Beano - it’s the best ever! (There I go again, getting all competitive!)'. Bananaman first appeared in Nutty comic in 1980 and has starred in Beano since 2012. He was originally conceived as a playful parody of traditional superheroes, super-strong and able to fly, but comically clueless.

Mike Stirling, director of mischief, Beano Studios, said: 'Mike Tindall and Bananaman are the ultimate dream team!. Zara and Mike hold hands with their eldest child, Mia, at a memorial service for the late Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey on March 29, 2022. Pictured in Sandringham, Mia and Mike share a joke as they walk behind the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children on Christmas Day 2024.

Mike Tindall and his son Lucas pictured at the Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials in Norfolk in April 2022. 'A rugby legend and a superhero famous for epic failure... what could possibly go wrong?. 'Beano brings families together through shared laughs, so this anniversary edition celebrates that, with probably the funniest Bananaman story of all-time!'. Mike has long been open about his hope that his own young children will develop into sporty kids, revealing last year that three-year-old Lucas was just 20 minutes old when he watched his first rugby game on TV.