Secret Jungle Star: Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley Stuns Co-Stars with Hidden I’m A Celebrity Exit
Only two people knew—and not even his wife! Dominic Brunt reveals how Lisa’s surprise shook the set
A Jungle Secret Kept Close to the Chest
When Emmerdale favorite Lisa Riley made her explosive debut on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 2025, fans weren’t the only ones caught off guard. The actress, known to millions as Mandy Dingle, kept her plans hidden from almost everyone—including the Emmerdale cast.
Lisa told just two people: her fiancé Al Benkovic, and her long-time co-star and close friend Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy Kirk.
“She called me one day on set and said, ‘I’ve been asked to do the jungle. What do you think?’” Dominic revealed. “I told her, ‘You’d be brilliant. Go for it!’”
Only later did Lisa confirm to him that she had accepted the offer. The trust meant the world to Dominic—but it also came with pressure.
“I didn’t even tell my wife,” he confessed. “I never keep anything from her, so that tells you how serious Lisa was about keeping it quiet.”
Friendship Forged in the Dales
Dominic and Lisa have worked together on Emmerdale since 1997. Their bond is as strong off-screen as it is in their characters’ tangled family dynamic. Lisa’s decision to confide in him ahead of her reality TV adventure was a sign of their deep connection.
“It was a privilege,” Dominic said. “I felt honored that she trusted me. We’ve always had each other’s backs.”
As I’m A Celeb unfolded, Dominic admitted he expected Lisa to struggle with hunger or exhaustion, but she’s exceeded all expectations.
“She’s not moody. Even when she’s tired, she’s just quiet, not cranky. She’s just Lisa—completely herself,” he shared.
Lisa’s Jungle Journey So Far
Lisa entered the 2025 jungle lineup alongside household names like Martin Kemp, Kelly Brook, Shona McGarty, and rapper Aitch. But it’s her warmth, honesty, and quiet resilience that have won hearts.
“She didn’t show off or try to dominate,” Dominic noted. “She sat, listened, and let people see the real her.”
That authenticity has sparked strong emotional reactions from fans—especially after a recent campmate made a harsh comment that visibly hurt Lisa, prompting a wave of support online.