Tindall's 'close' season in Caribbean

Bath centre Mike Tindall has become the latest England star to be afforded a full colour spread in the British tabloids after he was snapped 'grappling and smooching' the Queen's granddaughter in the Bahamas.

Tindall first met 23-year-old Zara Phillips in Australia last year on the night he and his team-mates beat the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup Final.

A dinner date in Sydney followed, and their paths crossed once again back in London when Zara's granny invited the victorious England team to tea at the palace.

More recently, Tindall was spotted looking lost at the Badminton Horse Trials - and the pair were also seen prowling the pits at the British Grand Prix in July.

Yet to the paparazzi's immense frustration, Tindall has long insisted that he was just 'good mates' with the 11th in line to the British throne.

But the photos spread across the British newsstands on Monday morning told a different story.

Unless Miss Phillips was drowning in the shallow turquoise shore-break, and Tindall was attempting to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, the couple appear to be closer than even the best of mates.

"They're a very cuddly pair, they spend most of their time on the beach and avoid the bars at night - they're behaving like a comfy married couple," cooed one holiday maker to the News Of The World.

Tindall can expect a decent bout of ribbing when he returns for pre-season training at the Rec.

Sure, the England star may deserve a stout pat on the back for landing such an eligible lady friend - but Iron Mike's new status as the Daily Mail's lovable 'hugger star' will take some living down.