LISA Riley was dubbed the “camp mother” during her time in I’m A Celeb, something which was emotional for the actress to hear after leaving the jungle.
The label is even more poignant to Lisa following years of fertility struggles.
Following her stint on I’m A Celeb this year, which saw her narrowly miss out on the final, Lisa learned that she had been dubbed the “camp mother”.
Upon leaving the show, Lisa was shown footage of eventual winner AngryGinge describing her as a maternal figure, something which made her emotional.
She told hosts Ant and Dec: “I’ve not been lucky enough to be a mother in life, so if I was able to be the Jungle mum, bring it on.
“People just kept coming to me for advice and a cuddle.
“We’ve all been through things in our own lives and when you’ve got life experience you can share it with the truth and also go ‘I understand what you’re going through and my heart feels the same as yours does”.
“So I’m happy to be Mama Bear. If I’m Mama Bear of this Jungle then I feel like I’ve won already, having that title.”
Previously, Lisa went through a lifestyle overhaul where she lost over 12 stone, later undergoing surgery to remove loose skin.
Following the weight loss, Lisa had hoped to embark on a new chapter of motherhood.
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In 2018, the soap star revealed that she and partner Al, who she had been with for four years at that point, were going to give IVF a go.
However, fertility tests revealed that Lisa’s remaining eggs are not of a quality that doctors expected, meaning IVF would possibly not work.
This led to Lisa and Al accepting that children may not be the path for them.
Admitting that IVF was “emotionally draining”, Lisa told The Mirror: “I feel that I have taken ownership of the situation now.
“I have seen other people go through years and years of IVF treatment and the stress and pressure that creates.
“I don’t want to do that. We have decided now that we aren’t going to go down that route, and now that we have made that decision, I could not be happier.”
In 2021, she assured Closer Magazine that her and Al’s decision not to keep trying for children was one she stood by.
“Al would never want me to go through IVF again because he said he lost the girl he fell in love with… I may not have 2.4 kids and a dog but I have a beautiful bloody life. I wouldn’t change it for the world, I’m so lucky.”
While Lisa and her partner Al have been engaged for seven years, the pair have previously said they don’t have plans to marry.
But following her exit from the jungle earlier this year, Lisa sparked speculation she had tied the knot secretly.
Talking on I’m A Celeb’s spin-off show, Unpacked, host Joel Dommett said to Lisa: “Obviously you had a lovely moment with Al on the bridge but how was your hug with Ant [McPartlin, show host]?”
Lisa replied: “Oh yes I got a juicy hug with Ant didn’t I? And it’s caused a bit of fury with my husband, he’s fine.”
However, she has since made it clear that this was a joke, with sources close to the actress claiming she and Al use spouse names with each other as a term of endearment.
