Emmerdale

Soap legend Lisa Riley tipped for I’m a Celeb jungle debut as Emmerdale fans fear for Mandy

21 August, 2025
Tam.Int

Lisa Riley is in advanced talks to join the 2025 series of I’m A Celebrity as Emmerdale fans are fearing that Riley’s character Mandy could be in serious trouble

Lisa Riley spoke to Christine Lampard on Lorraine

Sources close to the actress have suggested she is in serious discussions to join the upcoming series of I’m A Celebrity. The 49 year old is renowned for her portrayal of Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap opera, a character she originally brought to life in 1995.

Throughout nearly three decades, she has remained central to some of Emmerdale’s most gripping storylines whilst capturing audiences’ affections. Though she departed the programme in 2001 to explore other ventures including Fat Friends, Waterloo Road, and Loose Women, she made a spectacular comeback to Emmerdale in 2019.

Lisa Riley and Dominic Brunt playing Mandy Dingle and Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale

Currently, I’m A Celebrity bosses are reportedly considering her as a prime candidate for the 2025 series.

A television source revealed to The Sun: “Lisa is the perfect celebrity for the show because not only is she from a soap watched by millions she’s one of its biggest characters and it’s an ITV show to boot.

“She also has a naughty, mischievous sense of humour which is guaranteed to get a big response from her other celebrity campmates during their time in the jungle. Lisa is by no means the first star from Emmerdale to have gone on I’m a Celebrity and those that do always tend to get a great response from viewers at home.”

Riley has previously expressed a desire to participate in the reality show. Earlier this year, she revealed: “I’m A Celebrity…is something I would do before I turned 50 as a test for myself.”

Lis Riley

However, she confessed to having reservations about some of the more intimidating trials, admitting that while she could stomach the eating challenges, she added: “I could never ever do the mice and the rat box.”

Her potential participation would continue the trend of soap stars appearing on the ITV jungle-based programme. Coronation Street actors have frequently featured on the series, alongside Emmerdale veterans.

To date, eight Emmerdale personalities have ventured into the jungle since the programme debuted in 2002, including Lucy Pargeter, Adam Thomas and Gemma Atkinson. Former cast member Danny Miller even claimed victory in 2021.

Antony Cotton took part in 2011, while Helen Flanagan gained notoriety in 2012 after being selected for seven consecutive Bushtucker Trials.

Most recently, Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Dobbs) ventured into the jungle in 2017. Rumours are also currently circulating that Corrie actor Adam Hussain may join the 2025 line-up following his departure from the cobbles earlier this year.

Meanwhile, concerning life in the Dales, soap enthusiasts are expressing concern for Riley’s character Mandy Dingle, as the actress recently shared a photo from the Emmerdale set featuring a stunt double. One worried fan voiced their fears on social media, stating: “Not good if there’s a stunt woman, it means Mandy is in trouble.”