Tindall and yet another CCTV mystery as news of second piece of footage emerges

By Richard Shears


Smiles: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips strolling hand in hand, just hours before it emerged another humiliating video exists of her husband's flirty night


Zara Phillips smiles broadly as she strolls hand in hand with Mike Tindall, hours before it emerged another humiliating video exists of her husband’s flirty night with a mystery blonde.

A second CCTV video is said to have captured the England rugby star with his female companion two weeks ago.

The images are from Cowboy Bar in the New Zealand resort of Queenstown, 100 yards from the Altitude nightspot where footage seen around the world was taken.

Similar footage: The CCTV images taken in Cowboy Bar are supposedly similar to that of Altitude Bar, (pictured)


The pair are said to have gone to the bar after leaving Altitude.

Tindall’s only hope of saving his bride of seven weeks from further heartache is the promise by Cowboy’s manager, Mel Latu, that the video will not find its way on to the internet.

‘We don’t want to ruin this guy’s life,’ said Miss Latu. ‘Similar to what they say about sports lives and private lives, what goes on in our bar, stays in our bar.’

Tindall and his blonde companion reached the Cowboy Bar around 2am, after he had been seen hugging and kissing her in Altitude.

Upset: After the original CCTV footage came out Zara Phillips was pictured looking tearful at the International Horse Trials


Miss Latu said she has seen the CCTV footage and it is much the same as the Altitude video. ‘My boss doesn’t want anyone to see it,’ she insisted.

Meanwhile a man associated with the Heritage Hotel, where the England team were staying in Queenstown, has told the Daily Mail Tindall arrived there alone in a taxi some time after 3am.

‘He was very drunk, fell down in the road and I had to help him to his room,’ said the man.

‘But I can assure you he was alone. There was definitely no blonde with him.’

The news of a second video is likely to heap further humiliation on Zara, who appeared to have forgiven her husband’s cavorting when she met up with him in Dunedin at the weekend.

They enjoyed lunch with two friends on Friday and Zara watched Tindall play in England’s 67-3 World Cup victory over Romania on Saturday.

The couple celebrated with a meal in the town’s Bacchus restaurant last night.

Happier times: The pair at their wedding day in July


source:dailymail

Zara's look that says: You got away with it this time

By Richard Shears In Dunedin


Happier than ever: Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall looked happy and relaxed as they left the Bacchus restaurant in Dunedin, New Zealand


Whatever Mike Tindall said to his royal bride about his recent indiscretions, it seems to have worked.

He and Zara Phillips made a smiling appearance yesterday which suggested she had forgiven him for his flirtatious encounter with a mystery blonde.

The England rugby captain, in New Zealand for the World Cup, had been reunited with Zara on Thursday night when she arrived in Dunedin.

Off the hook: Zara and Mike were photographed leaving the Southern Cross Hotel together yesterday morning

Among friends: Zara and Mike Tindall have lunch with Bex Murray, in stripes


Yesterday they emerged from the team hotel - the Queen’s granddaughter in grey woollen poncho and jeans, her husband in T-shirt bearing the slogan Super Warriors.

They joined singer Bex Murray and another woman for lunch at a waterfront restaurant, where Tindall made a point of repeatedly flashing his wedding ring.

There had been suggestions that Miss Murray, a friend of Zara who sang at her 30th birthday party, was the mystery blonde - a rumour sparked because the England team had visited her family's ranch in the mountains the day after Tindall's drunken night out in Queenstown.

But Miss Murray has said she wasn't even in Queenstown that night - and her presence at the lunch table yesterday backed up her words.

Locked down: England's Mike Tindall runs at Romania's players during their Rugby World Cup match today

Cheering on her man: Zara Phillips watches Mike Tindall during today's England match against Romania


It seemed unlikely that newly-wed Zara would ask a woman who flirted with her husband to share her table.

Footage of 32-year-old Tindall with the blonde was posted last week on YouTube, leading to fevered speculation about what happened that night.

However the Daily Mail has spoken to a hotel staff member who was on duty in the early hours and confirmed that Tindall arrived back alone - and in no state for philandering.

'He was so drunk that he couldn't even stand when he got out of the taxi,' the worker told the Mail.

'I had to help him across the road to a private part of the hotel where the players were staying.'

The worker told the Mail that if Zara wanted confirmation of this, he would be happy to provide it - but her composure suggested that her husband's explanations and assurances have been enough.

Troublesome behaviour: Mike Tindall was seen getting his head kissed by a mystery blonde on September 11


source:dailymail

On his best behaviour: Tindall is left carrying the suitcase as Zara is reunited with sheepish husband

By Richard Shears In Dunedin


Showdown: Zara and Mike arriving at their hotel in Dunedin... with Tindall left carrying the heavy suitcase


Mike Tindall looked decidedly sheepish at yesterday's press conference, despite claiming the past week had 'not really' been a difficult time.

And following his troublesome night out on the tiles last week, the rugby star is clearly still on his best behaviour.

Within minutes of being reunited with his wife of seven weeks in Dunedin New Zealand, where the England Rugby team is based, Tindall had fallen into line.

Better together: Zara (right, with black hat) and Tindall (left, in grey top) are meeting for the first time since the rugby player's infamous night out last week


As Zara strolled into their hotel carrying her small handbag, Mike followed with a heavy-looking suitcase that must have been the one his wife had traveled to New Zealand with.

The chivalrous move, and reassuring words that were exchanged in private, clearly worked as Zara and Mike were all smiles when they emerged from their hotel this morning.

Zara and Mike Tindall have tried their best to put the mystery blonde rumours behind them.

At a press conference yesterday, the few words the rugby captain uttered during left little doubt that he was contrite about his drunken behaviour in a New Zealand bar.

Meanwhile, Zara's movements made it clear this was a matter to be sorted out between the two of them in absolute privacy.

Off the hook: Zara and Mike looked happy and relaxed as they left the Southern Cross Hotel together this morning

Fresh-faced: The couple did not look like they had lost much sleep over the mystery blonde rumours


The Queen's 30-year-old granddaughter cleverly dodged every professional photographer as she bunny-hopped her way down through New Zealand before being snapped in a grainy image as she hurried across the airport tarmac when she arrived in the southern city of Dunedin.

A short time later Zara confronted her 32-year-old husband of seven weeks after she was rushed in through a rear entrance of the players' five-star Southern Cross Hotel - while he followed carrying the suitcase.

What then went on when they finally met 11 nights after he was seen on a 12-minute security video cuddling up to and kissing the blonde woman will perhaps never be revealed.

All smiles: The newlyweds relaxed with their friends inside the hotel...

... then headed out for a coffee making it clear that they are not going to hide away from the media


But they seem to have put their troubles behind them. The couple both looked relaxed and happy as they went to a local cafe this morning for a coffee.

When Tindall faced the media for the first time yesterday at a Press conference in Dunedin to talk about the England team's World Cup game against Romania tomorrow he was sheepish and clearly reluctant to be reminded of his late-night antics in Queenstown, 110 miles away.

Asked whether the past days since the video became viral had been a challenging time, his mumbled reply of 'not really' did not appear to convince those present in the room.

United front: Zara landed in Auckland yesterday on Wednesday but wasn't reunited with her husband until last night


Yes, he admitted, that he had been disappointed he was not called upon to play in the following weekend's game against Georgia, adding: 'Obviously, you want to play every game.' He was pushed on whether whether the CCTV footage, which has resulted in the bouncer who posted it on YouTube being charged with illegally obtaining it, was likely to have affected his game in any way, he replied: 'I hope it's fine.'

Appearing uneasy about the questions as he was pressed for more details about the night, he was saved by the intervention of England coach Martin Johnson who said: 'We've put it to bed - we've played since then, it's not an issue.

'I spoke in a long press conference about it last week. We've had that conversation.

Feeling sheepish? Mike Tindall handled the inevitable questions about his marriage with ease

Relaxed: Zara beamed as she addressed a charity function in Auckland on Wednesday night


'We're looking forward to another game this weekend.'

While Tindall was ducking the questions in Dunedin, Zara was dodging pursuing photographers in the North Island - and managed to do so successfully with a little help from friends.

She had arrived in the country on Wednesday and made a surprise appearance at a charity event in Auckland. There was widespread speculation that she would be flying directly from Auckland to Dunedin yesterday, but no one saw her at Auckland airport yesterday.

Then came the revelation that she had turned up for lunch at the Gintrap Cafe and Bar in the east coast town of Napier, on the North Island.

The bar's manager confirmed she had enjoyed lunch with two friends at the cafe, when she ate calamari, while another friend dined on fish and chips.

Word was spread by officials in Dunedin that she would be arriving at the airport later that evening, but she surprised most photographers by arriving on a flight from Wellington earlier than expected.

'We have moved on': England coach Martin Johnson defended his star player from questions about the Nightclub upset


Dressed in dark clothing and a black hat, she was accompanied by a female friend as she dashed across the airport tarmac to a waiting silver Range Rover.

The vehicle then sped away, with a police car tailing it to cut off anyone who attempted to follow it.

She arrived at the Southern Cross Hotel a short time later and was whisked in through a rear door. There was no sign of her after that and it was believed she had gone straight to her husband's room.

Because of the secrecy surrounding her movements, it was not immediately known whether she planned to spend the night in the hotel.

Unlike restrictions placed on other national teams, coach Martin Johnson has made it clear he has no problem with WAGS - wives and girlfriends - staying with players during a tour.

Media attention: Tindall will be wishing the press had focused on the team's performance rather than his embarrassing night out


'You've got to trust them to make decisions on the field so you've got to do the same off it as well,' said Johnson as the players were preparing to leave for New Zealand.

'If you can't trust them at any point, then there are simply choices for us to make.

'You've got to have a balance in your life. The best thing you can have is your family there. I did in 2003. They give you some normality.

'The wives and girlfriends are all very sensible and very supportive and just want their partners to have a good experience in terms of playing.'

Ironically, Mr Johnson had added: 'It's a different world to 20 years ago when I toured New Zealand with the Lions and the boys had fun. Things have changed.

Troublesome behaviour: Mike Tindall was seen getting his head kissed by a mystery blonde on September 11

Happier times: Tindall and Zara on their wedding day seven weeks ago


'You've got to be careful and not put yourself or your team mates at risk.'

New Zealanders in Queenstown yesterday, the scene of Mr Tindall's drunken behaviour, were playing a guessing game over what might happen when Zara met him later in the day.

'We've seen him looking fresh faced on TV today - so if we see him tomorrow with a black eye, we'll know it wasn't from a rugby game,' said one wag.

Another said that the next few days would reveal whether Zara had forgiven her husband for his behaviour.

'If they put on a united show of love for one another, then we'll know she's allowed it to all blown over. It all depends on how they are with one another in the coming days.'

Mike Tindall is expected to train with the team at the Dunedin stadium today and Zara is expected to watch him play tomorrow.



source:dailymail

United front: Zara is all smiles as she arrives in New Zealand 'to quash Mike Tindall's mystery blonde rumours'

By Nick Fagge and Richard Shears


Confident: Zara Phillips is all smiles at a charity event in Auckland today


Wearing a little black dress and a wide smile, Zara Phillips seemed not to have a care in the world as she appeared at a charity event in New Zealand today.

The Queen's granddaughter has reunited with England rugby captain Mike Tindall, who is currently training for a World Cup match against Romania on Saturday, after footage emerged of his antics with a mystery blonde just seven weeks into their marriage.

Zara confidently addressed the audience for the occasion, held by CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, of which she is the international patron.

The Queen's granddaughter addressed the audience as the international patron of CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust


BBC sports correspondent Dan Roan broke the news that she would be flying in to New Zealand on Twitter yesterday afternoon.

He wrote: 'Dunedin Airport could be busier than normal on Friday. That's when Zara Philipps [sic] arrives to catch up with MrTindall - & there's no VIP exit'.

She's on the way: BBC News Sports Correspondent Dan Roan broke the news on Twitter


That tweet was closely followed by another: 'Hear Zara's already left - on her way to Australia -where she'll spend couple of days before arriving in Dunedin on Friday. Eng v Rom Sat'y'.

Zara has already gone some way towards brushing away infidelity rumours by winning first prize in an International three day horse trial in Ireland over the weekend.

But the strain the news had put on her was clear to see in early stages of the three-day event.

Things are looking up: Zara Phillips is shown receiving her 1st after winning the three-day eventing at the International Horse Trials in Ballindenisk, Co Cork (right), after looking glum earlier in the weekend (left)


The horse trials began after news broke that her 32-year-old husband had been caught on film ‘relaxing’ between games at the World Cup in New Zealand by kissing the pretty fan and cavorting with her at a bar in Queenstown a week ago.

In the film – captured by numerous CCTV cameras and publicised by a bouncer at the Altitude bar – the England captain can be seen hugging and manhandling the young woman as they down shots of vodka.

After she has pulled him down towards her chest and kissed the back of his head, he then drags her out through the exit, where they walk off out of shot, entwined in each other’s arms.

Suspicious behaviour: Tindall is shown being kissed on the head by the mystery blonde, who supposedly went to university with the rugby player ... even though he did not go to university

More antics: Tindall posing with another blonde, Janine Jeferis on a night out in Queenstown, New Zealand


Miss Phillips has so far declined to discuss the incident, but on Friday a source close to her attempted to play it down, saying the woman in the video was ‘a friend’ of the couple and had been to their July wedding.

‘She is a friend of both Mike and Zara and has known Mike since university days,’ the source said.

‘She is an English girl living in Australia who was at their wedding. Zara is very relaxed about this, and the whole thing has been blown out of all proportion.’

Yet the claim Tindall had known the girl ‘since university days’ is a little odd given that he did not actually attend university.

Newlyweds: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips tied the knot seven weeks ago


Although he won a place at Durham to study psychology, he instead went straight from grammar school in Wakefield to become a professional rugby player, after being snapped up by the Bath squad.

Tindall’s father Phil, 64, said his son had told him the girl was ‘an old friend’.

He said from the family home in Yorkshire: ‘He says she was an old friend and that’s that. He is ignoring it and concentrating on his rugby. We didn’t speak about Zara at all. I don’t think she is upset or has anything to be distressed about.’

Day job: England captain Tindall is shown tackling an Argentina player at the World Cup, hours before he went out to 'relax'

He added: ‘I’ve seen the pictures and must say I don’t recognise the girl in the footage at all.’

Tindall’s defenders argue that as a lifetime rugby man, there was nothing unusual about his night out with team-mates in New Zealand.

It was a night out that involved posing for photographs with attractive girls, and also with dwarfs who had been hired to entertain bar customers in a ‘Midget Madness Weekend’.

England team manager Martin Johnson has said the players were simply ‘letting off steam’, but it emerged yesterday that not all onlookers at the bar were impressed by Tindall’s behaviour.

It was claimed on Sunday that as he manhandled the blonde outside the bar at 1.30am, an Australian male tourist who recognised the rugby player told him: ‘You’re married. Pull your head in mate’.

Good spirits: Tindall joking around with Jonny Wilkinson during a training session in Dunedin this morning


source:dailymail