Emmerdale Mandy Dingle's exit explained as Lisa Riley joins I'm A Celebrity

Emmerdale fans are preparing to bid farewell to Mandy Dingle as actress Lisa Riley takes a temporary hiatus from the ITV soap to feature on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

The ITV reality programme makes its comeback on Sunday, November 16, with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly returning to present once more. This year's roster is brimming with recognisable personalities.

Joining Lisa, this series' participants feature comedian Ruby Wax, rapper Aitch (real name Harrison Armstrong), social media sensation Morgan Burtwistle, better recognised as Angryginge, EastEnders' Shona McCarty, comedian Eddie Kadi, and Spandau Ballet legend Martin Kemp.

Mandy Dingle has been a staple on Emmerdale for years. She initially emerged in the ITV soap in 1995 and quickly established herself as a viewer favourite.

The performer has already completed filming her departure scenes and is scheduled to make her comeback to television next year, according to reports, The Mirror.

An insider revealed to the Sun, "Mandy's exit will be lowkey and very brief". They continued, "Lisa filmed her scenes last week, Mandy goes to visit friends and will be back before you know it.

"She'll be back filming full throttle once she's back from her trip down under too. Fans won't have long to wait for her return once the scenes air next year."

Lisa, who has portrayed her cherished character for over ten years, allegedly finally consented to venture into the jungle following years of approaches from production executives. Following her Emmerdale debut in 1995, Lisa temporarily departed the programme twelve months later but made her return in November 2001, and has maintained her treasured on-screen presence ever since.

Beyond the soap, Lisa previously hosted You've Been Framed!, took part in Strictly Come Dancing and served as a panellist on Loose Women.

This week, it emerged that Lisa was the second celebrity to arrive in Australia. Upon landing, she couldn't help but reference her soap heritage: "We did "Dingle Down Under" many years ago, so it's only fair that we do it again."

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Lisa revealed why she was prepared to face the demanding series. Despite the threat of creepy crawlies and brutal jungle conditions, she remains fearless.

"My family are really rooting for me, they're really happy that I'm here. I'm fine with creepy crawlies, I've worked on a farm for many years so it's part of the job being Mandy Dingle," she said.

'I'm looking forward to the lovely people, I'm a people person, and somebody who likes to chatter. I've got lots of stuff because I'm such a girlie girl.There's a lot of bling, I've just got many options."

She has long harboured a wish to take part in the show, sharing, "I'm A Celebrity... is something I would do before I turned 50 as a test for myself.'".

Her stint in Emmerdale has witnessed Mandy embroiled in numerous unforgettable storylines.

Last year's I'm A Celebrity series saw McFly's Danny Jones crowned champion, beating a star-studded line-up including Coleen Rooney, Maura Higgins, GK Barry, and Reverend Richard Coles.

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here returns on ITV One and ITVX on Sunday, November 16.