Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley admits ‘it was hard’ and reveals early soap days ‘battle’
Lisa Riley has played Mandy Dingle for 30 years(Image: Lisa Riley on Instagram)
Emmerdale star Lisa Riley revealed that her early days on the ITV soap weren’t easy as she described her “battle” with fame.
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The actress made her Emmerdale debut as Mandy Dingle back in 1995, and from her very first episode she soon shot to stardom and became known as the “tart with a hart”.
Over the years she’s become a legendary face in the Dales, and last month Lisa marked her 30th anniversary in Emmerdale, a stint that was only supposed to last one episode.
Lisa previously shared: “A few months later my agent rang me and said they wanted me back for a siege episode. Here I am sat with you 30 years later. The memories go on and on.”
However, things weren’t always so plain-sailing for the star as in her early days of fame Lisa admitted she felt overwhelmed seeing her face on the front of magazines.
The actress made her debut back in 1995(Image: ITV)
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When Mandy was battling for the affections of Dave Glover who eventually chose Kim Tate, Lisa shared: “I remember being in the supermarket, and I was on the cover of every magazine with the Mandy and Dave Glover storyline.
“I felt claustrophobic and started to have panic attacks.”
“Me, [and EastEnders stars] Patsy Palmer and Martine McCutcheon were the tabloid ‘faces of soap’ and were followed everywhere like pop stars. Initially, it was hard.”
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The actress continued: “I never had therapy, my mum was my rock and would tell me to keep going. I pride myself on being grounded and haven’t had a panic attack for years.
“Now the young’uns at Emmerdale come to me for advice. They don’t have as much tabloid attention as I did, it’s a different world now, the trolls are so vitriolic.
“But I’m there for them, they call me ‘Nana’!”
Lastly, the actress shared that even after 30 years of being in the Dales, she still loves playing the bubbly, outgoing Mandy.
She shared: “The Emmerdale writers still say she is a joy to write for, it’s amazing. I never got bored of her, and neither has the show, so it’s a win-win.
“To think a character has survived all these years is amazing. Mandy has always been about the three L’s – loveable, lashes and leopard print!”
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