Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has opened up about her upcoming stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and how her co-stars have been supporting her
I’m A Celebrity contestant Lisa Riley has shared details of her co-star Danny Miller’s ‘lovely message’ following confirmation of her Emmerdale future.
The actress was amongst 10 celebrities announced on Monday (November 10) who will be venturing into the Australian jungle for Ant and Dec’s annual series.
Lisa, who is marking three decades portraying Mandy Dingle this year, won’t be the sole soap veteran in camp, as former EastEnders favourites Martin Kemp and Shona McGarty will be joining her as fellow campmates.
The ITV reality programme will also feature rapper Aitch, Loose Women host Kelly Brook, Jack Osbourne – son of Ozzy – and content creator Angry Ginge.
Viewers will have to manage without Mandy for several weeks of Emmerdale, as soap actors are typically written out whilst participating in I’m A Celebrity, which usually spans three weeks, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Lisa’s character Mandy is presently assisting her spouse Paddy Kirk in tracking down his father Bear, who vanished several weeks prior.
Last week’s ITV soap episodes disclosed that Bear isn’t located in Ireland as his son had assumed, but is actually being detained in a contemporary slavery plot.
After weeks of speculation about her I’m A Celebrity participation, Lisa has reassured fans that she’ll return to the Dales following the series finale. “Mandy Dingle will be back,” she confirmed.
Someone certain to have offered Lisa plenty of guidance is Danny Miller, who portrays Aaron Dingle and claimed victory in the 2021 series, which was staged at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Wales during the pandemic.
“Everyone at Emmerdale has been so lovely. Danny Miller just told me to be myself. I’ve got no agenda doing this,” Lisa shared.
Lisa also unveiled the reason behind her decision to finally take part in I’m A Celebrity, despite being approached multiple times before.
She elaborated: “They have asked me to be in it numerous times before – but now I’ve finally said ‘yes’. The reason is I’m going to be 50 next year, it’s thirty years on and off playing Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale and ten years of being sober.
“It’s like a big baguette where everything I wanted was in it! And it’s I’m A Celebrity’s 25th series anniversary too.
“Forget the NTAs and BAFTAs, the fact I’m going in the jungle means I am hopefully the best auntie in the world to my nephews, Jakey and Joshua, and niece, Everlyn. I can forever say to them It tackled the jungle head on. It’s going to be ace.”
Lisa continued: “I lost my best friend not so long ago and mum got diagnosed at the age of 48 (with breast cancer), I’m 49. Nothing can be as bad as that in life and I have got to see if I can do it. Every day is a blessing and I want to really enjoy everything.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! returns Sunday, November 16 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX
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