An Emmerdale star has opened up on Lisa Riley’s “grief journey” after her tough I’m a Celebrity admission.
The 49-year-old actress, who is best known for her role as Mandy Dingle on the hit ITV soap, is currently facing her fears in the Australian jungle with eleven other celebrities.
The star has already had her head in a box with snakes, and has recently been evacuated from camp due to bad weather.
Lisa has been settling into camp well and has quickly become one of the most beloved stars so far. The actress has particularly bonded with fellow campmate Jack Osbourne as they opened up about losing their parents.
The soap star notably asked Jack about his dad Ozzy Osbourne, who died earlier this year. The pair both got emotional as they spoke about the Black Sabbath legend, with Lisa sharing that her mum had also passed away.
Lisa’s mum, Cath, died from breast cancer that had spread to her pelvis, ovaries and pancreas in 2012. She was 57 years old.
Speaking about what her mum would think of her being in the jungle, Lisa said: “While my mum would be gleaming at the prospect of me doing the jungle, I can also imagine her sat there at nine o’clock being frantically worried about me. But she knows that I am a very headstrong person.”
Emmerdale star Bradley Johnson, who plays Lisa’s on-screen son Vinny Dingle, appeared on ITV’s Lorraine on Tuesday (November 25), where he spoke to host Lorraine Kelly about the struggles Lisa has faced in her personal life.
“She’s formed a lot of friendships, particularly with Jack Osbourne and she’s certainly helped him a lot, I think. You can tell that she’s really looking after him,” Lorraine began.
Bradley replied: “Yeah, I think massively. Everything that Lisa’s been through with losing her mum and stuff, and the grief journey that she’s been on. And I think for Jack as well, it’s only been four months.
“She’s really been a support for him, helping him through that journey. I think the best medication, and Lisa always says it, is to talk about it, to be open.
“For her to be there for Jack is what is so needed. We saw him with Eddie [Kadi] having a cry and letting his feelings out. She’s definitely someone who can help him.”
Sharing his pride at watching his co-star on screen, Bradley added: “She’s doing amazing. Lisa plays Mandy Dingle, this larger than life character, and it’s so nice for people to see the side of Lisa [that’s] so caring and so lovable.
“She’s that person that we all turn to at work, especially me, for advice and a shoulder to cry on. She’s doing phenomenal.”
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! airs at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, while Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX
