The one thing that’s probably keeping the stars of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! going at this point in the competition is the reunion with their loved ones when the show wraps up in just a few days.
Those long days and nights in the jungle will all seem like a distant dream (or nightmare) once the celebrities cross that famous bridge to be reunited with partners, kids, friends and family.
We know some of the contestants’ endgame plans (and why there was no Spencer Matthews to meet Vogue Williams), but others aren’t so high profile – so what about Lisa Riley?
The Emmerdale star has previously spoken a little about her fiancé of 11 years, who just goes by the name Al, but we’ve got the low-down on their romance, and whether the couple will ever get married.
Lisa Riley’s partner Al and their romantic timeline
Back in 2014, Lisa was introduced to musician Al by friends and the pair hit it off. They dated for four years, before becoming engaged in spring 2018.
On I’m A Celeb, she was asked by Ginge whether Al was aware of her star status before they met. “No, [he] didn’t know who I was, that was one of the appeals,” she said.
Lisa announced her happy engagement news on Instagram at the time. She flashed a big sparkling ring, and told fans: “Yes I can now confirm the rumours are true… I have got engaged… my soul mate and best mate and love of my life. Al is the best thing to have ever happened to me…. we have absolutely NO date set for ANY wedding day, just happy together… zero fuss, just firmed our togetherness.”
But she admitted that the pair had kept their engagement secret for a while, as she also added: “Got sick of having to keep switching fingers with my ring!”
The sad reason why Lisa and Al may never get married
Speaking with The Mirror in March 2025, Lisa revealed that because she had lost her mum, Cath in 2012 to cancer, and because Al also had also suffered the loss of his mum, that it would be too upsetting for the couple without their closest family members there.
“We’re already married, but not married and honestly, I truly couldn’t cope with the big day without my mum by my side. Why would I want to put myself through that? Al lost his mum not long ago, and he’s got no parents. Thank God I’ve got Dad. But you know, we’re not kids – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
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Lisa went on to detail the couple’s IVF struggles to Loose Women, saying: “I went through it all and my other half was unbelievable. My readings were rubbish. I’ve tried it for seven months but it’s not for me.”
However, Lisa has chosen to focus on the positives, and with Al by her side, she feels her life is fully complete. “I am a woman with a fantastic partner and it’s OK to not have a child. All my girlfriends have got families, and I am godmother to some of them,” she said.
“You think, ‘Am I fulfilled? Have I done everything?’ But I have a lovely life and I am blessed with that.”
An I’m A Celeb love triangle?
But perhaps jungle fever has got to Lisa, as she previously admitted in the Bush Telegraph that she had a crush on Ant McPartlin (yes as in Ant and Dec Ant). She said: “I’m a red blooded 49-year-old woman and yes I do think Ant McPartlin is very juicy.”
Thankfully, she then added: “You can go to Chanel, you don’t have to buy anything you can look, I am very, very happily settled relationship lady with my Al, but I can still have a look.” Somewhere, back in England, Al just let out a massive sigh of relief.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
Read more I’m a Celebrity news on our dedicated homepage
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