EXCLUSIVE: I’m A Celeb Star Lisa Riley Reveals Heartbreaking Moment in Jungle Saying ‘I Felt Alone’
Lisa Riley Shares Her Emotional Low Point in the Jungle
Lisa Riley, the beloved Emmerdale actress and popular I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! contestant, has candidly revealed the heartbreaking moment she felt utterly alone during her time in the jungle. Known for her bubbly personality and infectious smile, Lisa admitted that camp life tested her resilience in ways she never expected. At one point, overwhelmed by the pressures and physical challenges of the show, she found herself retreating to a quiet spot by the creek, seeking solace and strength.
The 49-year-old star described how she felt vulnerable and isolated, a stark contrast to her usual upbeat demeanor. “I felt alone, vulnerable… the challenge probably takes it out of you, and the feeling that you’ve got to do well, you’ve got to provide,” Lisa confessed. This emotional low came after completing the notoriously tough fish gut challenge, which she described as the hardest moment she faced on the show.
Finding Strength Through Memories of Her Late Mum
Lisa’s emotional struggle in the jungle was deeply intertwined with the memory of her late mother, Cath, who passed away from cancer in 2012 at just 57 years old. The actress revealed that during her lowest moment, she took herself away from the camp to speak to her mum in her heart, seeking the strength to carry on. “I sat there on my own, and I had a little word with my mum. I spoke to all my angels up there – I’m so blessed – but especially her. I was like, ‘Mum, I need some strength. I need to get through. I’m struggling, and I am finding things really hard,’” Lisa shared.
This poignant moment highlights the emotional depth behind Lisa’s journey on the show. Despite the physical hardships, it was the emotional and mental challenges that truly tested her. The connection to her mum’s memory gave her the courage to persevere when she felt she had nothing left to give.
The Pressure of Camp Life and Support from Campmates
Lisa also opened up about the intense pressure she felt to perform well in the trials, especially as the camp was consistently earning high star counts. “We were getting hefty numbers. No one got less than six stars. And I’d done really well. I got a mega number. But then you get back and you don’t know what day it is, what time it is, and you just want that reassurance maybe from home to go, ‘You know what, Lisa, you’re doing b***** brilliant,’” she explained.
The pressure to maintain a high standard and the disorienting nature of jungle life took a toll on her mental state. After returning from the fish gut challenge, Lisa found herself sitting alone, covered in grime and smelling unpleasant, feeling disconnected from the rest of the camp. It was then that close friend and fellow contestant Ruby Wax noticed her distress, saying, “Baby’s lost her smile.” For Ruby to see Lisa without her trademark grin was a clear sign of how hard things had become.
Thankfully, Lisa’s campmates rallied around her during this difficult time. She described the support she received from Martin, Jack, Ruby, and the other male contestants, who instinctively recognized her low mood and offered comfort. “Those boys, I have been there as a sister figure, a mother figure, call it whatever you want, but for the boys to be so instinctive that day especially, and they were like… I could see it around camp, everyone going, ‘Lisa’s low.’ My balloon popped,” she said.
Turning the Experience Around and Embracing the Challenge
Despite the emotional lows, Lisa ultimately described her time on I’m A Celebrity as “everything I wanted it to be and so much more.” She even enjoyed the experience more than her previous stint on Strictly Come Dancing. One unexpected benefit was shedding 20 pounds during her stay in the jungle, which she attributed to portion control and constant physical activity. “When you’re in there, people don’t have an idea of the lifestyle, the geography of the camp. It’s the do-ability, the activeness,” she said. “Like, when you go up to the Telegraph to talk, it’s step after step. When you go to a challenge, you never stop moving. It’s endless. It’s not just sat around a campfire having loads of giggles.”
Lisa also lightened the mood by recalling a cheeky moment when she admitted in camp that she thought presenter Ant McPartlin was “juicy.” Laughing, she said, “Any red-blooded woman would say Ant is juicy, and he looks really well. But I’m in a very, very, very happy relationship, I could not be happier. But you know, as I always say, you can go to Waitrose, you don’t have to buy anything.”
Conclusion: Lisa Riley’s Inspiring Journey of Strength and Vulnerability
Lisa Riley’s honest and heartfelt revelations about her time on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! show a side of the star that fans rarely see – one of vulnerability, resilience, and deep emotional strength. From feeling alone and overwhelmed to finding comfort in memories of her late mum and the support of her campmates, Lisa’s journey is a powerful reminder that even the strongest among us face moments of doubt and hardship.
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