In a revelation that has left fans emotional, reflective, and deeply invested, Emmerdale favorite Dominic Brunt has opened up about his concerns for co-star and longtime friend Lisa Riley

as she navigates the intense, unpredictable, and often brutal challenges of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Her journey through the Australian jungle has been filled with triumph,

vulnerability, fear, and heartfelt moments—and yet, for those who know her best, something about her early days in camp felt unmistakably different.This is a story not simply about trials and creepy crawlies,

but about grief, resilience, friendship, and the raw humanity that emerges when the spotlight shifts from scripted drama to real-life endurance.

A Beloved Star Faces Her Fears

Lisa Riley, the 49-year-old actress adored for her iconic portrayal of Mandy Dingle, entered the jungle with her trademark courage and warmth—but stepping into the wild was always going to be a challenge unlike anything she had ever faced. From the moment she arrived, viewers saw her confronted with some of the show’s most harrowing tasks.

She endured:

• A head-to-head battle with snakes, trapped in a sealed box while they slithered around her face.
• A grueling live trial where she triumphed over Martin Kemp, earning herself coveted immunity.
• The Mine of Misery, where rats, spiders, and pitch-black tunnels pushed her limits—yet she emerged victorious with a remarkable eight stars.

These moments showcased her fierce determination and unbreakable spirit, qualities that have long made her a fan favorite both on Emmerdale and off.

But survival isn’t always about bravery—it’s about emotional grounding, connection, and finding comfort in the unfamiliar. And that’s where Dominic Brunt’s concerns began.

Friendships Formed in the Heat of the Jungle

Within days, Lisa became one of the camp’s most beloved figures. Her bond with Ruby Wax, Jack Osborne, H, and Angry Ginge blossomed naturally, quickly placing her at the heart of camp life. For viewers, it looked as though Lisa was slipping easily into the role of group nurturer—the warm, grounding presence everyone needed.

Yet for those who know her intimately, especially Dominic, something in those early moments felt off.

Dominic Brunt Speaks Out: “It Wasn’t the Lisa We Know”

Dominic Brunt—best known to audiences as Paddy Dingle and to Lisa as a friend of nearly 30 years—appeared on ITV’s Loose Women on December 2nd, where he spoke openly about his unexpected worries regarding Lisa’s behavior during her first few days in the jungle.

As Christine Lampard, Myleene Klass, Nadia Sawalha, and Brenda Edwards questioned him about his friend’s journey, Dominic didn’t hesitate to share his feelings.

“She’s just being her beautiful self in there,” he admitted at first. “She’s so kind and has become the mother of the group in many ways.”

But then he revealed the truth many viewers felt but hadn’t put into words.

“It was strangely tense watching it… I thought she was really quiet, and it’s not the Lisa we know.”

Dominic explained how uncharacteristic it was to see Lisa subdued in those early days. Her usual bright, bold, confident nature seemed dimmed—replaced by a quiet observance that felt foreign to the friends who adore her.

“You saw people coming in and dancing around, saying, ‘We’re like a big family,’ and you think, ‘It’s been four days!’” Dominic recalled. “Lisa just seemed… quiet. And she’s not quiet. She’s never been quiet.”

His worries resonated deeply with fans.

But as the days stretched into a week, something shifted.

Dominic smiled as he described watching her slowly reclaim her spark.

“After four, five, six, seven days—you could see her coming out of her shell. Then we could relax a little.”

With every challenge conquered and every emotional breakthrough shared, Lisa began looking more and more like the woman her friends, colleagues, and fans know and love.

A Moment of Shared Grief That Stopped the Nation

One of the most talked-about moments so far came when Lisa gently asked fellow campmate Jack Osborne about his father, legendary Black Sabbath rocker Ozzy Osborne, who passed away earlier this year. The conversation quickly turned raw and heartfelt.

Both Jack and Lisa opened up about their losses. For Lisa, this meant revisiting the heartbreak of her mother’s death—a grief that continues to shape her life.

Her mother, Cath, died in 2012 after breast cancer spread to her pelvis, ovaries, and pancreas. She was just 57.

The loss left Lisa devastated.

Dominic spoke candidly about this on Loose Women:

“I know she struggled when her mum passed away. It affected her, and it will always affect her. She’ll miss her mum for the rest of her life.”

He revealed that Lisa spent six long years in the grip of overwhelming grief—a journey that changed her deeply.

The moment between Lisa and Jack was emotional not only because of what they shared, but because it revealed the softer, vulnerable side of Lisa that fans rarely see. It was a reminder that behind her vibrant exterior lies a woman who has endured immense personal loss—and who still carries that love and pain with her.

Dominic’s Final Verdict: Pride, Relief, and Love

As the interview concluded, Dominic’s message became clear: despite his early fears, he couldn’t be prouder of Lisa’s resilience.

“She’s making us all very proud. It’s such fun watching her.”

His words echoed the sentiments of fans across the nation—fans who have watched Lisa grow from a beloved soap icon into a fierce, funny, vulnerable jungle warrior.

When asked whether he’d ever follow Lisa into the jungle himself, Dominic didn’t hesitate:

“No—I’d be voted out in the first week!”

His blunt honesty drew laughter, but it also underscored just how uniquely suited Lisa is to the I’m A Celebrity adventure.

Final Thoughts: A Journey That Reveals the Heart Behind the Star

Lisa Riley’s jungle experience has been more than a TV challenge—it has been a profound look into the person behind the character. Her courage, her compassion, her grief, and her slowly re-emerging confidence have made her journey one of the most emotionally rich of the season.

Dominic Brunt’s heartfelt words have opened a window into who Lisa really is—and why seeing her vulnerable hit him, and all of us, so deeply.