I'm A Celebrity star Lisa Riley's heartbreak as she opens up on devastating loss

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!'s Lisa Riley has opened up on the heartbreaking reason she has decided to take part in the ITV hit reality show.

The Emmerdale star, 49, joined the hit soap as Mandy Dingle back in 1995, and from her very first episode she soon shot to stardom and quickly became a fan favourite.

Over the years she's become a legendary face on our TV screens but now she is swapping the Yorkshire Dales for the jungle as she was confirmed as one of the stars set to appear in the new series.

The actress was recently seen pushing her luggage through the airport after touching down in Australia ahead of the show starting next Sunday (November 16).

Her arrival in Australia comes as she officially joins the ITV show's 2025 line-up of celebrities alongside the likes of Loose Women star Kelly Brook, Youtube star Angry Ginge and rapper Aitch.

The soap star, who is well known for her role as Mandy Dingle, has revealed that her biggest fears in the jungle will be rats, confined spaces and the dark.

However, Lisa has admitted that the deaths of her mum in 2012 and best friend, Strictly professional Robin Windsor last year has given her the strength to overcome her fears and do the show.

The actress opend up and said: "I lost my best friend not so long ago and mum got diagnosed at the age of 48 (with breast cancer), I'm 49. Nothing can be as bad as that in life and I have got to see if I can do it. Every day is a blessing and I want to really enjoy everything."

Lisa was all smiles when she arrived at Brisbane Airport earloer this week and said: "I am a Dingle I can cope with anything...we did Dingles Down Under many years ago and I feel it's only right we do it again."

She added that she could cope with any creepy, as she quipped: "I've worked on a farm and it's part of the job."

This Morning's Alison Hammond is reportedly preparing to return to the Australian jungle 15 years after her first stint on I'm A Celebrity.

The TV presenter, 50, is said to be heading back Down Under to appear on the ITV show's spin-off programme, Unpacked.

This follows the reports that former contestant Seann Walsh is also expected to appear on the show.

Alison originally participated in the series back in 2010 as a late arrival. This time around, she's expected to be involved from the start, with producers thrilled to have her on board.

An insider told The Sun: "Her signature charm and infectious humour will go down a storm. She'll only be away a week so This Morning won't miss her too much."

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here returns on ITV One and ITVX on Sunday, November 16