Zara's lucky boyfriend

Jun 22, 2007, 12:10 GMT

Britain's Zara Phillips' rugby star boyfriend says he is "lucky to have a nice lady who cooks for me".

England rugby player Mike Tindall - who has been dating Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter for three and a half years - says his royal girlfriend is the chef in their relationship, because he is so useless in the kitchen.

He told Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper: "I'm very lucky to have a nice lady who cooks for me. We have lots of vegetables, salad and protein but, unfortunately, she cooks it.

"She's bought lots of cookery books, maybe she's hinting."

The sportsman also revealed the 26-year-old equestrian champion often asks him the question all men dread.

He added: "She often asks me, 'Does my bum look big in this? Obviously I tell her she looks great, but sometimes I her to change. Then I run."

Mike, 28, confessed he was in awe of Zara's royal relations when they first started dating, and he still is.

He said: "I hadn't had many girlfriends before. I was happy playing rugby and being single. I was then, and still am, a bit in awe of her family. Then you meet them and they are just normal and very family-orientated, just like mine."

As for rumours of a wedding, the Bath player hinted that the ceremony would be a big event.

He revealed: "If and when it happens, it will be no secret."

(C) BANG Media International