In an exclusive conversation, Mike Tindall has opened up about the joyful intersection of family, friendship, and entrepreneurial spirit, revealing heartwarming holiday plans while celebrating the success of his business venture, Blackeye Gin, alongside his closest friends and co-owners, fellow rugby star James Haskell and broadcaster Alex Payne. The trio, whose camaraderie forms the backbone of their popular podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, gathered at an intimate event at The Other House in South Kensington, where the easy banter and genuine affection between them was palpable. Amid the glitz of the celebration, Tindall shared a glimpse into his personal life with wife Zara and their three children, Mia, Lena, and Lucas, revealing that the family is finally plotting a long-awaited cruise holiday. This peek into his domestic world highlights a man who, despite a storied athletic career and a place within the royal family through marriage, prioritizes creating core memories with his loved ones, framing success not just in business terms but in the simple, cherished prospect of a family adventure.
The focus on a cruise holiday is particularly poignant, as Tindall directly addressed the outdated stereotypes surrounding such voyages. “Cruising gets bracketed into an older generation, which I think has massively changed at the moment,” he noted, aligning perfectly with the trio’s partnership with MSC Cruises, which now stocks Blackeye Gin across its fleet. This business move is a strategic bridge between their brand and modern, family-friendly travel experiences. The conversation took a predictably humorous turn when James Haskell, ever the jester, chimed in with his own enthusiastic endorsement, citing “free unlimited pizza” as a prime attraction and jibing Tindall about requiring shuffleboard and bridge games to set sail. This light-hearted exchange underscores how their business is deeply intertwined with their personal lives and shared sense of fun, aiming to bring their product into spaces associated with relaxation, celebration, and new experiences for all ages.
The foundation of Blackeye Gin’s success, as became abundantly clear throughout the event, is the unique and resilient friendship between the three partners. Tindall reflected on their origins, noting that while he and Haskell played together and against each other from the mid-2000s, and both knew Payne professionally, they weren’t initially close. “When we first met, we wouldn’t class each other as close friends. He was a work colleague, he was a mate,” admitted Haskell. It was the collaborative journey over nearly a decade—through podcasts, media projects, and now business—that forged an unbreakable bond. Tindall humorously summarized their dynamic: “James brings the noise, Alex brings a lot of words, and I just make sure the quality’s right.” This blend of personalities, from Haskell’s boundless “front of house” energy to Payne’s organizational prowess and Tindall’s steadying influence, creates a balanced and effective partnership.
What makes their collaboration so enduring, they revealed, is a profound respect and a communication style devoid of ego. Despite the constant teasing—a hallmark of their public interactions—they claim to have had only one serious row in almost ten years. Ironically, that single dispute occurred on a cruise ship, which Haskell swiftly attributed to “the amount of unplanned alcohol” rather than any fundamental disagreement. “We don’t ever argue. If we do, we’re able to share and have opinions and hear stuff,” Haskell explained, highlighting the maturity beneath the mirth. Payne echoed this, emphasizing that laughter is the glue that holds them together through calamities and triumphs alike. This ability to be brutally honest without taking offense, and to find humor in every situation, is presented as the secret sauce to their thriving business and personal relationship.
The success of Blackeye Gin, launched in 2023, has become a point of pride not just commercially but personally, even finding a home within royal circles. When asked if Buckingham Palace stocks their gin, Tindall sweetly confirmed that his family were among the first to show their support, and that it has earned a place alongside favorites like Silent Pool, even garnering approval from the gin-appreciating Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. This nod of royal endorsement is a testament to how far the venture has come, from an idea among friends to a brand served in sophisticated venues like the exclusive MSC Yacht Club. It symbolizes a full-circle moment where Tindall’s professional pursuits are supported by his family, just as he prioritizes them in his personal plans.
Ultimately, the story that emerges from this celebration is one of harmonious balance. Mike Tindall, James Haskell, and Alex Payne have seamlessly blended friendship, family, and business into a fulfilling enterprise. Tindall’s excitement over a family cruise is as genuine as his pride in their gin being served on that same cruise line. Their journey illustrates that the most sustainable ventures are built on authentic relationships, shared laughter, and a commitment to evolving together. As they look to the future, they do so not just as business partners, but as a band of brothers planning their next adventure—whether it’s on the high seas with their children or in the bustling world of entrepreneurship—with equal parts passion and playful irreverence.
