Emmerdale stars who’ve appeared on I’m A Celebrity: From Lucy Pargeter to Danny Miller
This lot swapped the Yorkshire Dales for the jungle experience
Emmerdale actors, past and present, have swapped village life for the Aussie jungle as contestants of I’m A Celebrity.
The iconic ITV show has been on air for over two decades and seen hundreds of well-known names take part, including eight Emmerdale stars.
These plucky lot have faced their fears and taken part in terrifying Bushtucker Trials.
But how did they all get on? What were their memorable moments? And who went all the way to claim the crown?
Emmerdale stars who’ve appeared on I’m A Celebrity
Chris Bisson
Chris Bisson, aka Emmerdale’s Jai Sharma, appeared in the second series of the jungle, way back in April 2003. His campmates included former footballer John Fashanu, dancer Wayne Sleep and eventual winner, cricketer Phil Tufnell.
On day one, Chris received medical attention after he banged his head while trying to help kill a spider. The actor was second to be eliminated and finished in eighth place.
In his exit interview with Ant and Dec, Chris admitted he’d found the experience tough. He also confessed it had been a struggle to go without his normal morning cup of tea.
Sheree Murphy
Sheree Murphy, aka Tricia Dingle, faced some of her greatest phobias when she competed in the fifth series of I’m A Celebrity. She also delighted audiences by discussing her husband Harry Kewell’s peachy bum on national TV!
Going into the jungle in November 2005, the actress admitted she was terrified of creepy crawlies. The public forced Sheree to face her fears by voting her to take part in a live Bushtucker Trial. During the ordeal, dubbed Rocky Horror, Sheree dealt with snakes, eels and green ants amongst others.
Sheree’s bravery won her the hearts of millions, who voted her the series runner-up, behind winner Carol Thatcher. Sheree went on to present an ITV spin-off series for I’m A Celeb with Phillip Schofield in 2006.
Malandra Burrows
Emmerdale icon Malandra Burrows, who played Kathy Glover, was a late addition to the 2006 I’m A Celebrity gang. She made a very dramatic entrance on day seven, hanging from a tightrope. Fellow contestants Matt Willis and Lauren Booth came to Malandra’s rescue and took her back to camp.
Her first night was also one to remember, when Malandra fell out of the hammock she was sleeping in. Malandra competed in several Bushtucker Trials – her most memorable one being Skyscraper. The trial required Malandra and fellow contestant Myleene Klass to clamber on a 200ft high seesaw platform and collect flags.
Having been in the bottom two a couple of times, Malandra became the sixth celebrity to be evicted.
Malandra was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and credited her jungle experience for helping her through the difficult days.
More Emmerdale stars on I’m A Celebrity
Gemma Atkinson
Future Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson took part in the seventh series of I’m A Celebrity, eight years before she joined the soap as Carly Hope. Already a household name due to her role in Hollyoaks, Gemma charmed the nation with her down-to-earth attitude.
But despite being a real team player, she was only voted in to do two Bushtucker Trials over 18 days. Gemma finished up in a very respectable fifth place, behind supermodel Janice Dickinson and eventual winner, Christopher Biggins.
Lorraine Chase
Series 11 welcomed Emmerdale actress Lorraine Chase, aka Stephanie Stokes, as one of its contestants. The series was best remembered for the bromance between McFly’s Dougie Poynter and Towie’s Mark Wright, but also Lorraine’s teddy. The star chose her beloved bear, Tedwood, as her luxury item. However, drama ensued when fellow campmate Pat Sharp threatened to kidnap and burn the toy! Poor Lorraine was left in floods of tears, and thankfully Tedwood was unharmed.
Lorraine was the fourth celebrity to get eliminated, finishing in ninth place overall.
Lucy Pargeter
Lucy Pargeter really threw herself into jungle life when she took part in the 2013 series. The Emmerdale legend, who plays Chas Dingle, quickly established herself as a strong team player and smashed a series of gruesome trials.
Lucy also infamously clashed with fellow contestant, Amy Willerton. The soap actress felt the beauty queen didn’t always pull her weight in camp, and made her feelings known. Lucy’s straight-talking made for great telly, and viewers kept her in right until the final. She finished in a very respectable third.
Adam Thomas
Adam Thomas, who played Adam Barton in Emmerdale, was in the I’m A Celeb class of 2016. Remembered as the year where all the campmates just really loved one another. Adam was the series’ self-proclaimed Mr Bushtucker Trial, after taking part in a whopping 11. These included Game of Thrones: Gates to Hell and the rather revolting Pick ‘n’ Critz.
Adam lasted 22 days in camp and made it all the way to the final. He finished in third place, after comedian Joel Dommett and winner, Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt. The following year, Adam was invited back to Oz as the new co-host of spin-off show I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp. Sadly the series got axed the following year.
The Emmerdale star who won I’m A Celebrity!
Danny Miller
Who could forget the moment when Danny Miller was crowned King of the Castle in 2021? I’m A Celebrity had been forced to relocate Gwrych Castle because of Covid travel restrictions. Danny had recently left his job at Emmerdale playing Aaron Dingle and become a new dad.
The actor openly admitted his decision to go on IAC was to provide a future for his son. On December 12, Danny was declared the winner, triumphing over Coronation Street’s Simon Gregson. He went on to reprise his role on Emmerdale, coming back as part of the soap’s 50th anniversary celebrations. He then came back for a permanent return in October 2023.