EXCLUSIVE: Emmerdale icon Lisa Riley has at last agreed to join I’m A Celebrity after previously turning it down seven times — explaining why she’s finally ready to trade the Woolpack for life in the jungle.
After seven years of turning it down, Emmerdale favourite Lisa Riley is finally set to enter the ITV jungle.
The 49-year-old star, best known for her role as Mandy Dingle on the long-running soap, has confirmed she’ll be appearing in the upcoming series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! after repeatedly declining offers from producers in the past.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star before signing up, Lisa revealed that she’s been invited to take part every single year but could never make it work due to her packed filming schedule on Emmerdale.
“They ask me every year to go in,” she said. “And who knows, I think I’d be camp, fun, and have a good laugh! But they’ve asked me seven years in a row now.”
She went on to explain that her work commitments had always been the main obstacle: “Obviously, filming Emmerdale as Mandy Dingle takes up so much time. I can’t just put my tabard down! If I did go into the jungle, I’d have to take my tabard with me.”
This year, however, Lisa has finally managed to clear her schedule — and fans are already excited to watch her trade the Woolpack for witchetty grubs.
Famous for her warmth and cheeky humour, Lisa joked that she won’t be putting herself forward for jungle cooking duties. “I don’t want to cook if I go in there,” she laughed. “But I’d definitely be the one looking after everyone. I’m not a b****, I’m not catty, and I get along with people.”
Show bosses are reportedly delighted to have finally persuaded her to sign up, convinced that her big personality and sharp wit will make her one of the standout stars in camp.
Lisa will be part of a star-studded cast for the show’s milestone 25th anniversary series, once again hosted by Ant and Dec from the iconic Australian jungle.
Joining her in camp will be Kelly Brook, Martin Kemp, Angry Ginge, and Eddie Kai.
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