Lisa Riley pushed herself to the limit as she prepared for her I Am A Celebrity journey. The Emmerdale favourite challenged herself to hold two live rats while still filming for the soap. It was a bold move that left her shaking, emotional, and proud.

A Nerve Racking Moment On The Emmerdale Set

Lisa, known to viewers as Mandy Dingle, arrived on set with a personal mission. She wanted to touch rats for the first time. In a clip shared with her followers, she can be seen trembling as she asks for advice on how to stay calm. She lifts the rat with clear fear in her eyes. The small creature then climbs onto her shoulder. Lisa tries to steady her breath and hold herself together.

After a brief moment, she manages it. She lets the rat sit there in silence. The weight of the moment hits her and she bursts into tears, relieved and thrilled to have taken the step. It was far from over. Another scene shows two rats perched on her shoulder while the crew around her cheers her on.

She explained her strategy in a soft voice. She said she pretended the rat was like a toy resting on her shoulder. This helped her block out her fear and stay grounded through the experience.

Preparing For A New Challenge In The Jungle

Lisa appears much more confident by the end of the video. Her smile returns as she realises she is stronger than she thought. The timing is no coincidence. It was confirmed this week that she will join the latest series of I Am A Celebrity, and she wanted to prove to herself that she can face whatever comes her way.

She said she will be there for everyone in the camp. She also warned that she does not tolerate unkind behaviour. Her fiery Mandy Dingle energy may appear if anyone steps out of line.

Why Lisa Chose To Enter The Jungle Now

The actress shared that she had been approached to join the show several times in the past. She finally felt ready because of major milestones in her life. She is close to turning fifty. She is celebrating twenty five years of playing Mandy. She has also reached ten years of sobriety. These achievements made her want to push herself further.

She also opened up about personal heartbreak. She lost her best friend recently. Her mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at forty eight. Lisa is forty nine. She said that nothing in the jungle can compare to the challenges she has already faced. She wants to cherish every day and take on new adventures with gratitude.

Mandy Dingle Will Be Back

Lisa is thought to have filmed her final Emmerdale scenes before leaving for Australia. According to a source, Mandy steps away from the village to visit friends. Lisa will return to the soap after her time in the jungle. Fans will not have to wait long for her comeback once the episodes air next year.