I'm A Celebrity 2025: Lisa Riley's Strictly heartache, sobriety and sad reason she will never marry
Lisa Riley says she's determined to make it to the famous cyclone challenge
Lisa Riley, who has played Emmerdale’s Mandy Dingle on and off for the last three decades, says that she plans to keep the peace in the I’m a Celebrity camp – but she also isn’t afraid to speak her mind. “I don’t suffer fools gladly,” she has warned. “My inner Mandy Dingle will come out if someone is mean!”
Despite Lisa taking a short break from filming Emmerdale for her jungle stay, fans can rest assured that Mandy’s hiatus from the Yorkshire Dales will only be temporary when it plays out on screen next year.
Joining Lisa in the IAC jungle 2025 line-up are Kelly Brook, Shona McGarty, Martin Kemp, Ruby Wax, Alex Scott, Jack Osbourne, Eddie Kadi, Angry Ginge and Aitch. But what else is there to know about the soap icon?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Manchester-born soap star…
How old is Lisa Riley?
The Emmerdale star is currently 49 years old. She will turn 50 on July 13, 2026.
Fame came calling at a relatively young age – Lisa was 19 when she landed her role in Emmerdale. As a younger teen, she’d had smaller roles in soaps Coronation Street and Brookside, and drama Butterflies.
Lisa Riley’s two very emotional reasons for saying yes to I’m A Celebrity…
This is the first year Lisa thought it felt right for her to do the show, even though producers had asked her many times before.
She’s explained recently: “They have asked me to be in it numerous times before – but now I’ve finally said yes. The reasons are I’m going to be 50 next year, it is thirty years on and off playing Mandy Dingle and then 10 years of being sober.”
Lisa said losing her mum to cancer in 2012 and then her former Strictly dance partner and best friend Robin Windsor, last year, also gave her the strength to sign up for the show.
“I lost my best friend not so long ago, and mum got diagnosed at the age of 48. I’m 49. Nothing can be as bad as that in life, and I have to see if I can do it. Every day is a blessing and I want to really enjoy everything.”
Is Lisa Riley married?
Al proposed over a decade ago, but Lisa told The Mirror in 2022 that she doesn’t want to have a wedding without her mum.
“I truly couldn’t cope with the big day without my mum by my side. Why would I put myself through that?” she said.
“Al lost his mum not long ago, and he’s got no parents. Thank God I’ve got Dad. But we’re not kids – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
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When was Lisa Riley on Strictly?
Lisa took part in the 2012 series of Strictly Come Dancing. She wowed judges with her fancy footwork before leaving the show in the semi-final.
In an emotional social media post at the time, Lisa said: “My bestie, my Robin, my angel. Now our forever angel, who is loved, will always be loved. Forever in my heart, my very broken heart. I love you, shine your beautiful, electric energy from heaven.”
Lisa Riley on giving up drinking alcohol
Lisa has been proudly tee-total since August 2015, having ditched booze to help her be healthier.
She admits to drinking heavily previously; it became a crutch as she struggled emotionally following the death of her mother Cath in 2012.
At one point she was drinking a bottle of wine or more every night. She has said in the past: “I realised there were lots of empty calories in booze so that is why I gave it up.”
How much weight did the Emmerdale actress lose – and how?
Lisa shed an amazing 12 stone in 2016, going from a size 28 to a size 14 and has even written her own cookbooks. But she says it wasn’t a diet that got her fighting fit, it was simply by making small changes to her lifestyle.
Lisa is now alcohol-free and has quit smoking and greasy food.
She told Bella Magazine: “I’m the healthiest I can possibly be. I train a lot, I eat the right things. It’s not a diet, I just literally eat less and move more!”
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When did Lisa Riley first join – and then leave – Emmerdale previously?
Lisa joined Emmerdale in 1995 before leaving the soap in 2001. She then returned to the role in 2019 and has been at the show ever since.
Lisa has revealed that the reason she took a break from the soap was simply to try new things.
While away from playing Mandy Dingle, Lisa presented You’ve Been Framed and joined the Loose Women panel. She also starred in Fat Friends, Waterloo Road, Scott & Bailey, and Three Girls.
During her time on Emmerdale, Lisa has had some huge storylines as Mandy. She was revealed as Vinny Dingle’s secret mum, took up a career as a financial dominatrix, and finally married Paddy Dingle, the love of her life.
Does Lisa Riley have children?
Lisa doesn’t have any children of her own, but is a very proud auntie.
Speaking of appearing on I’m A Celebrity, she joked that being on the show would earn her some serious ‘cool auntie’ points.
“Forget the NTAs and BAFTAs, the fact I am going into 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 I tackled the jungle head-on. It is going to be ace!”
Read more: I’m a Celebrity spin-off show returns to ITV2 for 1025
