Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley has made a dramatic relationship pledge as she prepares to enter the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! jungle, vowing to finally marry her long-term partner if she wins the competition.
Jungle Adventure and Wedding Bells
The 49-year-old star, who plays Mandy Dingle in the popular ITV soap, confirmed that reaching the final of the reality show's 25th series would be the catalyst for her wedding to partner Al, after being engaged for seven years. "If I get to the final, then yes, it would make sense this year that I'd come back with that and a wedding ring!" Lisa revealed in an exclusive interview.
Lisa approaches her 50th birthday in July with two major goals: participating in the legendary jungle experience and tying the knot with her beloved Al, whose full name she has kept private throughout their decade-long relationship. The couple got engaged in 2018 after four years together, but Lisa has previously struggled with the idea of marrying without her mother Cath, who died from cancer in 2012.
Secret Jungle Preparation
The actress was secretly signed for the show back in April for a reported £95,000 fee, keeping the news from almost everyone except her Emmerdale co-star Dominic Brunt and producer Laura Shaw. The trio developed an elaborate code name for her jungle adventure, referring to it as her "Christmas trip to Cost-Co" to maintain secrecy.
"It's been the best kept secret in the memory of man," Lisa admitted, praising Dominic's support throughout the covert planning process. She's received extensive advice from former Emmerdale jungle contestants including Lucy Pargeter, Adam Thomas and Danny Miller, who've guided her through essential preparations.
Following their recommendations, Lisa has already begun detoxing from caffeine, having gone eight days without coffee despite normally drinking it "like it's water." Other practical tips have included selecting flat sleeping arrangements over hammocks and warning future campmates about potential digestive issues from the rice and beans diet.
Facing Jungle Challenges
While many celebrities undergo cosmetic procedures before entering the jungle, Lisa insists she has "not one morsel of vanity in my body" and plans to appear completely natural on screen. Her only fashion concern revolves around the standard issue jungle boots, which she complains make her look like "a Rochdale bus driver."
The actress confesses to dreading the notorious Bushtucker Trials, particularly anything involving being buried alive or covered with rats. However, she's adopting a pragmatic approach: "I'll take every day as it comes. I'm not an overthinker... I'll have to deal with it there and yes, I will s**t myself."
Beyond the physical challenges, Lisa anticipates that being separated from loved ones will prove the most difficult aspect. "Everyone talks about the trials, but for me the hardest thing will be not speaking to my loved ones," she shared, expressing particular concern about being unable to contact Al and her nieces and nephews.
Wedding Plans and Future
When Lisa emerges from the jungle, Al will be waiting for her at the end of the bridge, potentially to begin planning their long-awaited wedding. However, practical considerations mean the ceremony won't happen in Australia, as she must return immediately to her Emmerdale filming commitments in Leeds.
Reflecting on her previous hesitation to marry, Lisa explained: "The thought of having a wedding without my mum... I don't think I could cope with it." Now, after significant personal milestones and her upcoming 50th birthday, she feels ready to take this step, acknowledging that 2025 would be the perfect year to finally exchange vows.
The all-star lineup for I'm A Celebrity's 25th series, launching on Sunday night, also includes Ruby Wax, Martin Kemp and Alex Scott, with Ant and Dec returning as hosts for another season of jungle entertainment and challenges.
