EMMERDALE star Lisa Riley has revealed she gave up the chance of a huge role so she could appear on I’m A Celebrity.

The actress – who plays Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap – has opened up about how her decision to head down under for the show meant that she lost out on a historic moment.

Lisa appeared in the jungle at the end of last year, finishing fifth in the series that was won by streamer AngryGinge.

But the big payday for the show came at the cost of another – she missed out appearing in the historic Emmerdale and Coronation Street crossover Corriedale.

However she has revealed that she has no regrets about her decision.

“I would have been in [Corriedale] had I not gone to Australia,” she told Woman’s Weekly.

“But I came out of it wonderfully too, as I had the most brilliant time away.”

Speaking on her return to the soap, Riley said: “I love my Emmerdale family and I love my job.

“It’s lovely to be back and everyone has been so kind.”

Earlier this week, Lisa opened up to The Sun about her weight loss in the jungle.

“I am wearing layers and layers on set,” she said.

“I like Mandy to be curvy. I am embracing it. Because it has been freezing cold when we are outside in the village filming, I have had two hot water bottles on my bum.

“So, Mandy’s bum might look bigger when people tune in on Tuesday, too.

“I am proud of how much weight I lost on I’m A Celebrity. I feel amazing.”

Fans were overjoyed to see Lisa return to screens this week as Mandy on the hit ITV soap and in further good news, the soap star revealed she has no plans to leave anytime soon.

“That is where my heart lies — I love working there. I never ever take anything for granted and, as long as the Emmerdale ­producers want me, I want to stay,” she told us.

“I’ve just signed a new one-year ­contract. If I were to take any extra things on, it would have to be around Emmerdale.”