Lisa Riley is being lined up as this year’s first I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! campmate, according to reports. 

The Emmerdale star is said to be close to signing on the dotted line after being involved in “advanced talks” for the 2025 series.

Lisa, 49, previously admitted she would consider entering the jungle to mark a milestone ‘like her 50th’.

And with her big birthday looming, ITV bosses are apparently keen to snare her.

A TV insider told 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.”

I’m A Celebrity 2025: Who is Lisa Riley?

Lisa Riley is best known for playing Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap Emmerdale. She originally took on the role from 1995 to 2001, before reprising it in 2019.

Lisa starred as Rebecca Patterson in the hit comedy Fat Friends and has also appeared in dramas including Waterloo Road, Scott and Bailey and Three Girls.

You’ve Been Framed fans will remember Lisa for presenting the family friendly show from 1998 to 2002. Lisa took part in the 2012 series of Strictly Come Dancing. She was partnered with Robin Windsor and they finished in fifth place.

In 2023, Lisa admitted in an interview that she has been repeatedly approached for I’m A Celebrity by ITV. She told the Daily Star: “They ask me every year. They dangle that big carrot every year. I’ve always said ‘no’, but the older I get… I’m 47. I always go, ‘Corr, I’m getting old’.”

Lisa added: “In my head I always feel like I’m 19, I’m never going to change who I am. But maybe if there was a milestone like my 50th. Then maybe.”

Lisa will turn 50 in July next year.

Who else is tipped for the jungle?

Lisa Riley is the first big name that has been thrown into the mix for this year’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. There has, however, been whispers about England footballer Jack Grealish and Jools Oliver, the wife of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Last week, betting agent Betway claimed odds are on for Coronation Street actor Adam Hussain to turn up in the jungle. The actor quit Corrie earlier this year, meaning his diary could be clear for three weeks Down Under.

ITV will not confirm the official line-up until just before the series kicks off. Usually, the first idea we get of exactly who will be in camp is when we see photos of individual celebrities arriving in Australia.

Where is I’m A Celebrity filmed?

Each year, the celebrity campmates fly into Brisbane Airport ahead of their jungle stint. They start off at the luxury five-star Palazzo Versace hotel, located in Gold Coast, Queensland, before moving into camp.

The ‘jungle’ in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! is Springbrook National Park, near Murwillumba. It is actually a rainforest spanning an incredible 15,310 acres.

The campmates eat, sleep and live in the rainforest for their entire time on the ITV reality series. For the finalists, this will be for three weeks. They then return to the Palazzo Versace to meet family and friends and celebrate with a ‘coming out’ party, before flying home to the UK.

When does I’m A Celebrity start?

ITV has ready confirmed I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! will be returning again this year for a brand new series. It has been listed in the broadcaster’s official autumn schedule.

An exact date is yet to be confirmed but it usually takes place in November, running into the beginning of December. Last year, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! started on Sunday November, 17. The series finished on December 8, with McFly star Danny Jones being crowned King of the Jungle.

This year will be the 25th series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!.

I’m A Celebrity All Stars

The IAC crew have got a busy few months ahead. They will shortly be filming another All Stars spin-off series, known as I’m A Celebrity…South Africa.

I’m A Celebrity…South Africa features a line-up of previous campmates, with them all vying for the chance of being crown the I’m A Celebrity Legend. The pre-recorded series will be filmed in September at Kruger National Park in South Africa and air in 2026.

The format means there is no public participation. Instead, the celebs will battle it out between themselves with a series of challenges and trials, with the last one standing being declared the Legend.

Celebrities who have reportedly signed up to I’m A Celebrity…South Africa include Harry Redknapp, Gemma Collins, Seann Walsh, Adam Thomas, Ashley Roberts, David Haye and Jimmy Bullard.

I’m A Celebrity stalwarts, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, will host both I’m A Celebrity…South Africa and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!.

Read more: Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Lewis Cope confirmed for line-up after Kristian Nairn quits

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! starts in November 2025. I’m A Celebrity…South Africa will air in 2026. Both previous series will be available to stream on ITVX.