Lisa: Why I had to snub I’m A Celeb
EMMERDALE actress Lisa Riley says she would never do I’m A Celebrity – because she would find it too boring.
The soap star, who plays Mandy Dingle, revealed she had again turned down a place in the camp this year.
Lisa, 45, said: “I love playing Mandy so much, that’s why I keep turning down other good roles.
“They offer me I’m A Celebrity every year and every year I say ‘no.’
“It’s not because of all the creepy crawlies or the challenges, I actually wouldn’t mind those.
“I would just be so bored in there. I have so much energy from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep.
“Being sat in camp all day would send me crazy. I would need to be stimulated all the time.”
But the star said she would love a role in Netflix period drama Bridgerton.
The ITV soap icon, who plays common-asmuck Mandy, wants to appear as a posh, busty duchess in the hit series.
Lisa said: “I was 14 when I had my first professional job. I am now 45 so I’ve had 31 years in this career.
“The only thing I have never done which I would absolutely love to do is appear in a period drama. I think I would be perfect for it. I have pale skin and the right look for it. I absolutely love Bridgerton and would love a role if one came up.
“I don’t want to play the wench, though. I would want to play a big busty duchess with a corset and all.
“People would automatically think of me downstairs because of Mandy, but I can play someone posh so I would prefer to be upstairs.”
The drama’s main star Phoebe Dynevor, who plays Daphne Bridgerton, first found fame on BBC school drama Waterloo Road in 2009.
And Lisa, who also starred in the show in 2011, said: “Phoebe is in Bridgerton and I said how amazing it would be if we did ‘Emmerton.’ We could do a charity version of Emmerdale meets Bridgerton. I just think that would be brilliant.”
Lisa has just signed a new contract to keep her on Emmerdale for another year.
She added: “I first joined as Mandy 26 years ago. I’ve been there so long the younger cast call me ‘Nana.’
“When I first joined I used to love going to all the events and parties.
“Now I just love getting comfy on the sofa and watching a good box set.”
Emmerdale continues this week at 7pm.