Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley has revealed she has become “inseparable” from her I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here co-star Morgan Burtwistle, known as Angry Ginge, since their time in the jungle last year. The 49-year-old, who plays Mandy Dingle on the ITV soap, finished fifth on the 2025 series of the reality show, while Ginge was crowned King of the Jungle with 53% of the vote.
Speaking to Closer magazine, Riley said: “We have become inseparable. I became his auntie in the jungle, and he was my naughty nephew!” She added that it is “inevitable” they will work together again, noting: “Your jaw would be on the floor if you saw the offers I’ve been made daily since leaving the jungle. I can’t say anything yet. I love my career. I am not leaving Emmerdale, but I am sure we can make things work.”
The pair first met before entering the jungle and have stayed close since leaving camp, even hosting a live stream together after Ginge’s win. Fans have dubbed them “the dream team” and said they “missed having their daily dose” of the duo. Riley praised Ginge as genuine, saying: “Ginge doesn’t have one fake pore in his body. We don’t take anything seriously and we just laugh a lot together.”
Reflecting on her jungle experience, Riley contrasted it with her 2012 stint on Strictly Come Dancing: “On Strictly you create bonds, on I’m a Celebrity you see everything. I loved it even though it was a lot harder than I imagined. Everyone in our camp was lovely and I feel proud of everything I achieved. There was no one who I call trampoline people – as in they just want a trampoline for fame!”
Riley has now returned to the Emmerdale set after a short absence to compete in the show. She said: “The love I felt in the Emmerdale building on my first day back was overwhelming. Everyone had lanyards on with ‘Team Lisa’ around the necks and the love they showed me was wonderful. I could just be myself in the jungle and they were pleased the Lisa they work with 24/7 shone through.”
