Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has shared that the crossover with Coronation Street, Corriedale, could’ve looked very different had she not been on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.
The Mandy Dingle star took part in I’m a Celeb last year, being eliminated eighth in an episode aired on 6 December. Her stint in the Australian jungle meant she had to sit out Corriedale, though she is now meant to return as Mandy as her onscreen husband Paddy Dingle, played by Dominic Brunt, has a lot on his plate.
“I would have been in [Corriedale] had I not gone to Australia. But I came out of it wonderfully too, as I had the most brilliant time away,” she told Woman’s Weekly magazine.
Speaking on her return to the soap, Riley said: “I love my Emmerdale family and I love my job. It’s lovely to be back and everyone has been so kind.”
As she was away, Riley had tasked one of her Emmerdale co-stars to handle her social media, as she also revealed one of the first people she called after her jungle adventure.
ITV
“[Lewis Barton star] Bradley Riches did my social media for me while I was in Australia. I have literally found my adopted son on Emmerdale with him! He is goodness personified,” she said.
“I got teary when I rang Dom [Brunt] up after I got out of the jungle, as he was my biggest cheerleader while I was in there,” she also said.
“I will never forget what he did for me. We are like a brother and sister, and it will always be this way until the day we die.”
Addressing Mandy’s return to the Dales after her break, Riley touched upon being back at a dramatic moment for her family.
ITV
Paddy has been arrested in connection with Ray Walter’s murder after Bear’s confession, while Dylan is also struggling with the aftermath of his and April Windsor’s ordeal.
Mandy will endeavour to protect Dom and “surrogate child” Dylan, Riley said.
“She is a Dingle to the core and she will do anything to save them both.”
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don’t miss the Soap Scoop podcast from Inside Soap magazine. The latest episode delves into next week’s soap spoilers for EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale – featuring an unexpected pregnancy, dark new alliances, and secretive newcomers causing chaos on the cobbles.